PLINIUS SECUNDUS, CAIUS.

Historiae Naturalis Libri XVII quos interpretatione et notis illustravit Joannes Harduinus e societate Jesu, jussu regis christianissimi Ludovici Magni, in usum serenissimi Delphini. Editio altera emendatior & auctior. 2 Tomi (3 Partes).

Paris, Typis Antonii-Urbani Coustelier, 1723. Folio. Two cont. full vellum w. seven raised bands on backs and blindstamped ornamentations on boards. Leather title-labels on backs. Bdg.s somewhat worn. Corners bumped and vellum loosening a bit from front-board of volume one. Woodcut title- and end-vignettes, double-page engr. map of "Flumina Quatuor Paradisii Terrestris" and 11 full-page engr. plates depicting coins. 32 pp., double-page map, 790, (2), 1290 pp., 11 ff. (engr. plates).

Second, but by far the best, Harduin-edition. The first was printed in 1685. Consisting of two volumes, volume two divided into two parts, the second part containing the Index Geographicus, Index Nomina Propria, Index Verborum et Sententiarum. Volume two also with the Index Emendationum. Latin text with many very elaborated notes.
"Of these editions (Paris 1685 (4to) and 1723), by the celebrated Father Harduin, the second edition of 1723, is by far the more copious, splendid, and critical performance. In forming the text, fifteen MSS. were consulted, but only eight of them collated; the excerpta of the remaining seven MSS. were given as by former editors. Explanatory notes are placed under the text, and critical ones are inserted at the end of each book... This edition is upon the whole a very erudite and valuable performance, and may be considered as one of the most useful and extensive works by which the genious and writings of Pliny have been illustrated." (Dibdin 2:325).

Order-nr.: 27898