[Linnaean Classification System. Herbal. manuscript in French. Late 18th century]

Folio (14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.; 360 x 235 mm). 170 pages of text, including table, 217 botanical watercolours. 19th-century half French morocco. End-papers renewed, binding slightly rubbed. 

The work represents an original attempt to classify herbs with known medicinal properties according to the Linnaean classification system. The plants listed are for the most part common in Western Europe, though some are found in Africa. Each plant has a note with a brief history of each plant, with references to its use in antiquity, and its Latin, French and occasionally German name. The manuscript is probably the work of a well-informed scientist, as the work can be dated a few decades after Carl Linnaeus publications.