Berlin, F. Dümmler [Akademie der Königliche Wissenschaften], 1857-1860. 4to (25.9 x 20.8 cm). Two title pages; 220 pp. [65; 155]; seven [1; 6] lithographed plates. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine with gilt lines and title.

The author, Alexander Braun (1805-1877) was an outstanding morphologist, professor of botany at Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Berlin and known through his Theory of Rejuvenation of Nature. He was the teacher of Haeckel and greatly influenced him (DSB). Provenance: Front endpaper recto with a handwritten dedication by the author to Mme. Elise Vilmorin, i.e., the horticulturist Jeanne Marie Élisa de Vilmorin née Bailley (1826-1868), the same lady after whom a peony rose and at least ten other plants were named. Small botanical/armorial bookplate on the front pastedown "a progenie in progenies", and the letter B. Light wear to boards; some scattered spotting, but generally clean. A very good copy. DSB 2, pp. 426-427; Pritzel, 1102, 1103. Not in Stafleu and Cowan.