Norimbergae [Nürnberg], Georg Scheurer, 1683. Small 4to (19.6 x 15.4 cm). Engraved title page and letterpress title page with wood-engraved vignette; iv, 133, [xv] pp. (including Bericht an den Buchbinder and Errata praecipua); five folded engraved plates. Contemporary full mottled boards and skilfully renewed spine with four raised bands and red morocco label with gilt title and date.

A very rare work on salamanders and newts by the German physician and member of the Kaiserlich Leopoldinisch-Carolinische Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher, Johann Paul Wurffbain [also spelled Wurfbain] (1655-1711). Wurffbain was the first person to devote an entire book to these groups. "Wurffbain had a special interest in salamanders, which formed the basis for his medical dissertation" (Adler). In this work, Wurffbain debunked all the myths surrounding these animals that had persisted since the days of Pliny. Instead, he showed their many interesting characteristics, including viviparity and ovoviviparity in Salamandra. The often missing allegorical title page (frontispiece) by Johann Meyer Tigurinus (1655-1712) is present. Provenance: Armorial bookplate "In Promptu" of the Scottish book collector John Trotter (1667-1718) mounted on the front pastedown. The Trotter library was sold in auction in 1947. Spine expertly renewed; some mild toning to the text; plates clean, and in all a very good, complete copy. Adler, Contributions to the History of Herpetology2, p. 18; Cat. BM(NH) p. 2368; Nissen ZBI, 4485. Not in the Crane library.