461 - DÉMESTE, Jean; [ROMÉ de L'ISLE, Jean-Baptiste Louis de (ed.)] Letters from Dr. Démeste, [Vol. 2: from the Société d'Emulation de Liège,] correspondent of the Royal Society of Medicine, to Dr. Bernard [...]. Paris: Didot, Ruault, Clousier, 1779; 2 vols., in-12: 11-[1]-611, xii-665-[5] pp. (marginal browning on the first and last folios, rare small foxing). Marbled calfskin of the time, spine with gilt floral decorations and raised bands, red title labels and volume numbers, red edges (one cap missing, minor worm damage to the spines, rubbed edges, corners somewhat rounded). Rare posthumous first edition. These 48 letters by the Liège physician J. Démeste (1743–1783) constitute a veritable introductory course in chemistry and mineralogy. They also address agriculture, crystallography, lithology, and physics, while referencing numerous works and the author’s correspondence with Romé de l’Isle, who edited the text and even wrote part of it. The second volume is devoted to the mineral forms of various metals, including arsenic, mercury, zinc, iron, copper, and lead. Ref. Duveen 167. - Sinkankas 1639. Included, same format, in a similar binding from the same publisher: Pott, J. — *Lithogeognosie, or a Chemical Examination of Stones and Soils in General* [...] with a dissertation on fire and light [...]. Works translated from German. [- Continuation of the Pyrotechnical Lithogeognosy [...]. Paris, Th. Hérissant, 1753. 2 vols. (Vol. I: title page missing, foxing; II: a few leaves slightly browned). Mismatched bindings. Missing the plate of the furnace, replaced by a photocopy (loose leaf). (4 vols.)