First (and only separately published) edition of a very rare work on the palaeontology of the Rhinoceros, with a large folding lithograph after drawings by the author. Christol (1802-1861) took an early interest in palaeontology and collected fossils. In 1829 he dared to challenge Cuvier's then still largely dominant views of human origins. The title-page notes that he was already a member of the Académie Royale des Sciences and several other scientific societies at the time of publication, though the present publication is apparently his rather late doctoral thesis (see DSB).
Presentation copy with inscription "Donné par Monsieur le Christol" 18 December 1838 on back of title-page. The wrapper is slightly tattered. In very good condition and untrimmed, with many bolts unopened. Engelmann, p. 613; WorldCat (5 copies); not in Nissen; for Christol: DSB III, p. 264.