PALLAS (Peter Simon) Naturgeschichte merkwürdiger Thiere, Berlin Sralsund: Gottlieb August Lange, 1769-1778. -10 parts in one volume, in-4, half tan basane with corners, spine decorated with gilt fillets, blue edges (period binding). This edition is the original German edition of the work published in Latin between 1767 and 1774 under the title "Spicilegia zoologica" by the German philologist, historian and botanist Peter Simon Pallas (1741-1811). It was translated by the physician and entomologist Ernst Gottfried Baldinger (1738-1804), as well as by the naturalist Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben (1744-1777), and by the author himself. This zoological work describes "strange" or hitherto unknown animal species, in accordance with Carl Linné's classification system. These include antelope, wild boar, bat, psophia, penguins, lemon bird, toad and others. Each part was published separately, with its own title page and pagination. Each is also illustrated with 3 to 6 plates, for a total of 43 plates. Although some mention 48 plates, this appears to be an error, as all the digitized copies we have consulted contain only those shown here. A precious copy with all the engravings carefully colored at the time. Cracks at the hinges, head cap missing, corners dull, rubbing on the boards. Some foxing and spotting inside.