BUFFON GEORGES-LOUIS LECLERC, COMTE DE (1707-1788) NATURALISTE.

L.S. "Buffon", Paris 18 December 1770, to M. DESLANDES fils in Saint- Malo; 1 page in-4, address with red wax seal (folds marked, small repairs). Very interested in maritime currents, Buffon received on December 6, 1770 a letter from Deslandes, a Breton navigator, who shared with him his observations "about the double currents which are found in some places of the Sea; I believe that it took an observation as well made as yours to note a fact which at first appears contrary to the laws of Mechanics, but which can be explained, as you do very well, Sir, by the contrariety and opposition of the winds and rivers which discharge into the sea and also by the inclination of the bottom when it is opposite to the direction of the wind... He thanks Deslandes for having "enlightened him on this point that I had not been able to discuss successfully for lack of good observations, yours deserves to be known and I will make use of it, if you allow it" ....