Tentamina experimentorum naturalium captorum in academia del Cimento [...].

2 parts in 1 vol., 4to: [16]-xlviii-[12]-193-[1 bl.], 192-[14] pp.; 32 pl. (some browning).

Contemp. brown calf (sl. rubbed), gilt orn. spine with 5 raised bands (upper joint splitting, def. at head), marbled endpapers, gilt sides and dentelles, red edges.

Enlarged annotated Latin translation by the Utrecht and Leiden professor P. van Musschenbroek (1692-1761) of the "Saggi di naturali esperienze" (Florence 1667) of Count L. Magalotti (1637-1712). Ill. with 32 numb. folding engravings. This influential work on mathematical physics was reprinted in Vienna in 1756. The experiments deal with measuring humidity, magnets and electricity, air pressure, the structure of ice, heat and cold, capillarity, optics, the motion of sound, etc. It also contains the first description of the pyrometer: an instrument for measuring the expansion of solid bodies when exposed to heat. Title in red & black.
Ref. Wellcome IV:23. - Bierens de Haan 3490. - Riccardi 408 ("raro e pregiato"). - Poggendorff II:247. - Wheeler Gift 276. - STCN.
Prov. "Chalette" (ms. entry on title).