Paris, Panckoucke, 1789-1790. Large 4to (28.7 x 22.3 cm). Title page, xxviii, 70, [i] pp.; 69 engraved plates, as follows: 1-7 [amphibians], 1-6 [turtles], 1-12, 6(2) [reptiles]; xliv, 76 pp., 43 (A, 1-42) [snakes]; two title pages; xliv, 76 pp.; 43 plates (A, 1-42).

This is the complete herpetology part of the famous Encyclopédie Méthodique and consists of the separate parts on amphibians and reptiles, and the one on snakes, respectively. Both were written by the French priest and zoologist Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre (1752-1804). The plates, by Robert Bénard (1734-after 1785 [some state 1777]), are renowned for their accuracy and detail. The text contains a systematic review with detailed descriptions and many new names. Being strictly binominal, this is an important early contribution to herpetological taxonomy and nomenclature. Uncut. Another part, on cetaceans (Mammalia), often combined with the herpetology, is not included, which means that this is the complete herpetology, with all text and all 69 plates, without anything else. Érpetologie-part, notably the plates, damp-stained, as are the Ophiologie plates, except Plates 36-42, which are clean. Adler II, pp. 29-30; Crane Library AC59 (describing an incomplete copy); Nissen ZBI, 4621; Vanzolini I, p. 8.