DEI VANTAGGI E DEI DANNI

8vo, pp. [vi], 335, [1] blank; final leaf attached to lower wrapper; some light foxing in places throughout, but otherwise largely clean and fresh; uncut in contemporary blue printed wrappers, old ownership signature (V. Mauville) in ink on upper wrapper; some light wear and browning but still an attractive copy.

A good copy of this uncommon study of the relative merits of sheep and goats, by the physician, naturalist, and mineralogist Giuseppe Gautieri (1769-1833).

Gautieri's study is comprehensive: he discusses in detail the use of goats as producers of milk (not only do they produce a lot, but they do so much of the year, and it is suitable for the production of butter, ricotta, and more) but also not only for meat but also for their tallow (for excellent candles), their guts (for violin strings), and more. Goats get on well with people, while being 'allegra, forte, coraggiosa e destra', putting up with heat and cold, snow and rain; and, of course, they will eat almost anything (this is counted as an advantage). Gautieri discusses the use of goats in antiquity, and describes their use in land and forestry management. He replies to a number of objections, in particular regarding the damage goats can do to vegetation, and articulates the dangers inherent in the reduction of goat populations, before recommending the introduction of angora goats. Throughout, he highlights the economic advantages of goats over sheep.

Gautieri was at the time Inspector General of Forests for the Lombardy-Veneto region. A native of Novara, he had previously held official positions both there and at the Austrian court, and contributed significantly to the response to the plague epidemic in Budapest in 1795-6.

OCLC records two copies outside Italy, at Lyon and the Berlin Staatsbibliothek.