Seven figures illustrating different types of anatomical specimen jars and their lids and methods of preservation used by Réaumur, Le Cat, and others. 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."

Figure 1 preserves a monstrous female foetus of three months, without a head. Figure 7 is an example of larger specimen containers used to hold quadrupeds, in this case a dog. Figure 4 is an example of the specimen jar favoured by Claude-Nicolas Le Cat, a surgeon of Rouen. Figure 6 is an illustration of the "English style"

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

1 print : engraving ; platemark 20.1 x 16 cm

Bears no.: Tom. 3 ; Pl. V page 192

Wellcome Collection 34147i