4to (226 x 174 mm). Engraved vignette of the Sheldonian Theater on title, 52 engraved illustrations, some with hand-coloring (title repaired in upper blank margin, some minor mostly marginal browning). Modern calf. Provenance: Sold Wheldon and Wesley, 1964; Anita Peek Gilger, M.D. (sold her sale, Christie's New York, 14 October 2003, Lot 12).

FIRST EDITION of this description of rare plants in Italy and France. Boccone, an Italian naturalist, visited England in 1673, where he attended a meeting of the Royal Society and met Charles Hatton.  Hatton convinced his mentor, Robert Morison, to edit Boccone's manuscript for this work, and paid for its publication. Boccone brought plates for the work to England, but Morison had them redrawn from dried specimens and engraved at Hatton's expense because they were inaccurate. Henrey 14; Hunt 329; Nissen BBI 179; Wing B-3385.