[INCUNABULUM] - AVICENNA. Avice(n)na de a(n)i(m)alibus per magistru(m) Michaele(m) Scotu(m) de arabico latinu(m) translatus. [Venice: Gregorio and Giovanni De Gregori, ca. 1495]. - In-folio, 289 x 213 : 54 ff [sig. A-f8 g4]. Soft parchment, smooth spine, speckled edges (modern pastiche binding). Hain, *2220 - Goff A-1416. - BMC, V, 352. Very rare first edition of the Latin translation by the Scottish theologian, philosopher, astrologer and alchemist Michael Scotus (1175?-1234?) of Avicenna's treatise De animalibus . This work is an abridgment of Aristotle's Historia animalium, which Avicenna wrote in the 11th century. Michael Scotus, after having translated Aristotle's treatise during his stay in Toledo before 1220, undertook the translation of Avicenna's text while in the service of the German emperor Frederick II, to whom the work is dedicated. The treatise is divided into nineteen books studying the external and internal anatomy of animals, reproduction, etc. Beautiful Venetian printing by the De Gregori brothers. The title is printed in gothic characters while the text, comprising fifty-five lines per page, is in Roman characters. Beautiful lettering, the first of which, historiated, shows the author or translator writing, leaning over his desk. Interesting copy including on the title several ex-libris of the time and of the 16th century as well as two drawings, one of which is of a man in profile apparently smoking. But above all, we find the date of 1495 followed by the initials J.B.G.J.V.J. This precious indication would allow us to date more precisely the edition that bibliographers placed around 1499-1500. Among the bookplates are those of two 16th century physicians, Johannis Pavera and Johannis Francisci Selua or Selva . There is also the signature of a certain Justin du Peraud, probably dating from the nineteenth century. Old notes appear in some margins. A washed copy, in a modern pastiche binding. Most of the leaves have been restored in the margins, without affecting the text. Provenance: Johannis Pavera, with two manuscript bookplates. - Johannis Francisci Selua or Selva, with manuscript bookplate. - Justin du Peraud, with signature on the title.