Uncommon work by an eminent Russian chemist.

A detailed and systematic description of the mineral springs of the Russian Empire, along with a bibliography of Russian and foreign publications on the subject. The text is accompanied by a folding map of the empire and maps of regions including St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk, Kharkiv, Orenburg and Tauridas.

Alexander Nicolaus Scherer (1771–1824) was a St. Petersburg-born German chemist and pharmacologist. After graduating from university in Germany, Scherer returned to Russia to teach chemistry and pharmacy, replacing the outdated textbooks he encountered with his own works based on the latest research by other prominent chemists of the time, including Lavoisier, Fourcroy and Tromsdorff. Scherer also introduced a much more practical approach to teaching and proved instrumental in the creation of the Pharmaceutical Society of St. Petersburg. In 1815 he became a full member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

8vo (20.5 x 13 cm). pp. xviii, including title, 340, with large folding map of Russian Empire and 10 maps of regions with outlines in contemporary colour. Contemporary red half morocco over marbled boards, gilt lettering to spine; joints in upper margin slightly split.

Engelmann, Bibliotheca geographica 855; Ferchl 477; Poggendorff II, 789; ADB XXXI, 101.