[2] Rebière's piece followed the encyclopedia format, listing the woman alphabetically, giving their names, dates of birth, the social conditions under which they had lived, their contributions and publications.

Included in Rebière's book was a section of appended works filled with opinions of famous people on the question "whether or not woman is capable of scientific pursuits.

The second edition (in later editions there is practically no change) was divided into five parts, headed: Morceaux choisis et pensées (pages 1–178), Variétés et anecdotes (179–340), Paradoxes et singularités (341–470), Problèmes curieux et humoristiques (471–526), Note bibliographique, index and table des matières (527–566).The textual parts contain, mainly, short quotations or translations (the whole book is in French) from writings ancient and modern.

When there is any indication of the source nothing is given, except in rare cases, but the name of the author; the composition of the numerous unsigned para- graphs is attributable to the editor.

In defense of his mixture of things gay and serious the author makes appeal to the authority of Pascal: "Les matières de géométrie sont sérieuses d'elles-mêmes, qu'il est avantageux qu'il s'offre quelque occasion pour les rendre un peu divertissaints.