ZIMMERMANN (Eberhard August Wilhelm von). Specimen... Lot 36

ZIMMERMANN (Eberhard August Wilhelm von). Specimen zoologiae geographicae, quadrupedum domicilia et migrationes sistens. Dedit, tabulamque mundi zoographicam adjunxit. Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]: Theodorum Haak et Socios. [Dirk Haak et compagnie], 1777. - In-4, 252 x 201: XXIV, 685 pp, (1 blank f.), 1 map. Marbled calf, cold fillet framing the boards, ornate ribbed spine (period binding). Sought-after first edition of this work by German geographer and zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann (1743-1815), professor of mathematics and natural sciences at the Collegium Carolinum in Brunswick from 1766 to 1815. This is one of the first studies devoted to the geographical distribution of mammals, making the author one of the precursors of zoogeography - along with Buffon, whose work he built on. Some of his conclusions may well have influenced Darwin. Indeed, he "put forward a curious theory based on the unity of origin of mankind. For him, primitive man was white, brown-haired and inhabited a high spot in Central Asia, where he multiplied, families descended and emigrated in several directions, forming colonies. In these new settlements, the influence of the climate gradually modified their physical characteristics: skin color, size, etc. This dissemination took place in a number of countries. (Lester, L'Anthropologie. Histoire de la science. Encyclopédie de La Pléiade). The edition is illustrated with a large fold-out map drawn by German cartographer August Wilhelm Knoch (1742-1818), which is the very first zoological map, showing the distribution of animals in the different countries of the world. It is one of the first to include the discoveries made by Captain Cook in 1770 on the east coast of Australia, known here as "Nova Hollandia", including kangaroos, opossums and more. Binding restored. Tears to map repaired. Provenance: Docteur Michel Durieux, with bookplate.