Fossills.- Woodward (John) An Essay Toward a Natural History of the Earth: and Terrestrial Bodies, especially Minerals, first edition, initial imprimatur f., title within ruled woodcut border, 2pp. advertisements at end, small indistinct blind stamp to a few ff., occasional worming to head of inner margin, some splitting to gutter, occasional light soiling or staining to margins, lengthy ink ownership inscription to final f., lacking endpapers, contemporary paneled calf, spine chipped at head, light wear to lower cover, [Wing W3510], 8vo, for Ric. Wilkin, 1695.

⁂ Scarce. Woodward believed that the Earth had originally been submerged under a universal deluge suspending stones, minerals and animals, which then subsided into a stratigraphic succession dependent on the gravity of the individual components. His work, despite its flaws, helped to create a wider interest in fossils and earth sciences.