4to, 605, [22] pp, with engraved frontispiece and 20 folding engraved plates at the end, numbered I-XX. The coppers show numerous anatomic, zoological, technical and astronomic illustrations. Contemporary calf binding, slightly rubbed, spine richly gilt between 5 raised bands, morocco title-piece, corners worn
Second German edition (Dutch orig. edition 1714), the first in the translation by the well-known natural scientist Andreas Segner (1704-77) from Gottingen. The then widely noticed and often translated work, along with William Derham's Physico-Theology, is regarded as one of the first of its kind. "Was intended to demonstrate the existence of God by teleological arguments. Never before has this been tried on such a scale, and none among Nieuwentijt's numerous imitators equaled his completeness" (DSB). Ref. Poggendorff II, 289. - Bierens de Haan 3563