DONATI (Vitaliano) Essai sur l'histoire naturelle de la mer adriatique... Avec une lettre du docteur Léonard Sesler, sur une nouvelle espèce de plante terrestre. The Hague: Pierre de Hondt, 1758. - In-4, havana calf, cold fillet framing the boards, ornate ribbed spine, interior gilt roulette, red edges (period binding). First edition of the French translation by Giovanni Francesco Mauro Melchior Salvemini da Castiglione (1708-1791) of this work by Italian naturalist Vitalien Donati (1713-1763). First published in 1750, this study begins with a "description of machines for fishing in the sea", designed to collect specimens of algae and coral, which the author then describes scientifically. It is followed by the "Lettre de monsieur le docteur Leonard Sesler à monsieur le docteur Vitalien Donati, sur un nouveau genre de plante terrestre, ou sur la plante qu'il appelle Vitaliana", and then by Pierre de Hondt's catalog. The edition is illustrated with 11 plates in period colors. A good copy, from the library of the Château de Montaren. White marks on boards, some scratches and epidermis, stains on upper spine and boards, corners slightly dulled, some loss on endpapers. Discrete restorations. Provenance: Grand Séminaire de Troyes, with stamp on title. - Château de Montaren, with bookplate engraved by Gardella.