[Ichtyology] RONDELET (Guillaume). Libri de piscibus marinis, in quibus veræ piscium effigies expressæ sunt. Lyon, Macé Bonhomme, 1554. In folio, modern full tan basane binding, five-ribbed spine decorated. (8 ff.) 583 (23) pp. illustrated with a portrait of the author and 420 woodcuts in the text. First edition, translated into French in two volumes in 1558. This is the masterwork of physician, naturalist and professor of medicine Guillaume Rondelet (1507-1566), a friend of Rabelais. Rondelet's historical and anatomical study of fish, mammals, crustaceans, cephalopods and more is remarkable for its time. One chapter is even devoted to the whimsical sea monsters. For this treatise, Rondelet had the support and help of Conrad Gesner and Cardinal de Tournon, among others. This book remained the standard reference in ichthyology for over a century, and served as the basis for modern research. The title page features numerous old annotations, some of which appear to be by the author himself. Some passages neatly crossed out with marginal annotations in ink. Extensive light wetness at the top of the entire volume, with discreet reinforcement at the top of the title page and at the edge of the last leaf.