Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1779 ["1778"]. Three volumes in three. 8vo (19.7 x 12.7 cm). cxix, 1,720 pp.; eight engraved folding plates, one folded table. Uniform contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine with gilt ornamental bands and title bands. Speckled edges.

The rare first edition of one of the first French works to include the Linnaean nomenclature as well as that of Tournefort. Written by the great French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck (1744-1829), "an early proponent of the idea that biological evolution occurred and proceeded in accordance with natural laws." (Wikipedia). Lamarck's new approach and his criticisms of Linnaeus impressed the leading French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788), who arranged to have the Flore published by the government. The date 1778 on the title pages seems to be incorrect as the first preface is dated 10 Février 1779. The title is often wrongly given as Flore française. Minor rubbing to boards and spine edges, ancient worming in the gutter of a few leaves and the top (running title with some loss) in the second volume, and in the front inner joint of the third, otherwise a very good, clean set. DSB vol. VII, p. 585; Pritzel, 5002 ("La Marck"); Stafleu and Cowan, 4135. Not in Nissen BBI, despite the plates.