A child born with the viscera reversed. Engraving, 1749.

Buffon became the "intendant" of the Jardin du Roi in 1736 and his Histoire naturelle has, as its base, his descriptive catalogue of the specimens of the "cabinet du roi". The third volume is concerned with the Natural History of Man. In the introduction to the work, he remarks that, even more than the most exact descriptions and the best illustrations, "Nothing contributes more to the advancement of Natural History, than the continual observation of the objects of which it comprises."

Buffon relates (p. 205) that the child, who died five days after its birth, was dissected in 1742 by Jean-Joseph Sue, who communicated his findings to the Académie Royale des Sciences in 1744

[Paris] : [Imprimerie royale], [1749]

1 print : engraving ; platemark 20.2 x 15.5 cm

Wellcome Collection 34178i

Bears no.: Tom. III ; Pl. VIII pag. 204