68 - BERTHOLON, Pierre. On the Electricity of Plants.

BERTHOLON, Pierre. On the Electricity of Plants. A Lyon edition of this important essay on the influence of electricity on plants, illustrated with 3 fold-out copperplate engravings. Lyon, Bernuset, 1783. In-8 (200 x 120 mm), Bradel-style binding, speckled cardboard cover, smooth spine decorated with blind-stamped fillets and a brown title label, red speckled edges. XVI, 468 pp., 3 fold-out plates engraved on copper by Legrand. Binding scuffed and worn, cap edges worn down, rare and small marginal foxing. Lyon edition, published the same year as the Paris edition, of this seminal treatise on “electriciticulture” by Abbé Pierre Bertholon (1741–1800), a physicist and friend of Benjamin Franklin. In it, the author discusses the influence of electric fluid on plant growth and details his invention, the “electrovegetometer”—a device designed to capture atmospheric electricity to stimulate crops. The book is illustrated with three beautiful copperplate engravings by Legrand, depicting his instruments. Ex-libris stamped by William Barbey on the blank endpaper. A sturdy copy, complete with its plates in good condition.