Astronomy.- Galaisière (Guillaume Le Gentil de la) Voyage dans les Mers de L'Inde, 2 vol., first edition, 27 folding engraved plates and maps, woodcut head- & tail-pieces, bookplate of Chateau de Rochetaillee, occasional very slight browning or foxing, vol. 2 with infrequent minor damp-staining to lower blank margin, contemporary mottled calf, spines richly gilt, expert repairs to spine ends and corners, lightly rubbed, a crisp and handsome set, 4to, [Brunet III, 940] Paris, L'Imprimerie Royale, 1779-81.

⁂ An important astronomical expedition to the southern hemisphere, in which la Galaisière was appointed to observe the transit of the planet Venus from Pondicherry. He spent eight years exploring and charting the area, including excursions to Madagascar and the Philippines, with observations on Indian astronomy, local customs and wildlife.