VALLISNIERI, Antonio (1661-1730). Lezione Accademica intorno l’origine delle fontane. Venice: Antonio Bortoli, 1726.

Author's presentation copy, to a noted librarian of the Laurenziana, of the enlarged second edition of Vallisneri’s lectures on natural springs, first issue, uncut in original boards. This is a substantially augmented version of Vallisnieri’s work on the origin of springs, containing his demonstration that ground water percolates down and is then passed along impervious strata until there is a break, emerging as springs and rivers. The new material includes a dissertation on spontaneous generation and embryology. Due to serious faults in the setting of pp. 325-327, Vallisneri canceled and attempted to recall as many copies as possible, finally ordering the corrected leaves to be reprinted by another printer altogether; this copy, unusually, is uncancelled, but with the cancellantes laid in. Sabia 191-192; Ward & Carozzi 2217; Linda Hall Catalogue Theories of the earth No. 104 (Poletti imprint).

Quarto (252 x185mm). Engraved medallion frontispiece, one folding plate (scattered stains). Original paper boards, uncut, marbled spine. Provenance: Antonio Maria Biscioni, 1674-1756, Italian bibliographer and curator at the Laurenziana (inscription).