A decorative woodcut border at the top of the page featuring repeating patterns of interlaced circles and floral motifs.

CASPAR BAUHIN

Epigrams original: "Ἐπιγράμματα" (Greek). Short, witty poems or inscriptions.

A horizontal decorative divider made of repeating scroll-like ornamental motifs.

Decorative drop-cap 'C' containing a floral illustration.
To whom rather should the Wood-Nymphs original: "Napaeae." In Greek mythology, nymphs of the glens and groves. weave their sweet-smelling garlands,
BAUHIN, than to you, I ask?
For you teach the names of a thousand herbs and plants—a thousand
Collected together in a single bundle.
The meadows and thickets owe you so many thanks, because they possess
Smiling plants and grasses.
For whom rather should they scatter violets, the lilies of Juno,
Or for whom the roses of Miletus?
May your name flourish and thrive, BAUHIN, as a perennial
For you, as long as there shall be roses and flowers.
And may the Wood-Nymphs pour Assyrian scents A poetic reference to precious perfumes or incense.
Upon your monument forever after your passing.

So too this present work of Plants is worthy
To hold the immortal name of its Author:
Whether the knowledge of herbs owes its praise to you,
BAUHIN, or to Apollo The god of healing and medicine., will be a dispute for the Physicians.

A horizontal decorative divider made of repeating floral and scroll motifs.

Decorative drop-cap 'L' containing a floral illustration.
Cease to visit so many shores of the Sea, so many fields and Gardens,
So many Forests, so many meadows, and so many cliffs.
However many species these places—however many the whole World—might produce,
Behold them all in the Illustrated writings of BAUHIN.

Decorative drop-cap 'Q' containing a seated human figure.
What does BAUHIN not excel at? For he relieves the
sick;
He describes Plants; he dissects dead limbs A reference to Bauhin's work in anatomy as well as botany..
Let Herophilus, Vesalius, and Galen Famous ancient and Renaissance anatomists and physicians. boast
Of themselves; our author has surpassed them.
They teach small things enclosed in great books;
He teaches great, amazing things in small books.
He who does not, therefore, look up to and admire BAUHIN,
Carries his brain in his heel, or has a soft one.

Decorative drop-cap 'D' containing a landscape scene.
The Greeks and Latins wrote of plants,
The Arab, German, Frenchman, Spaniard, and Italian wrote.
Whatever the Greeks and Latins write of plants,
Whatever the Arab, German, Frenchman, Spaniard, and Italian:
All this you alone possess, BAUHIN, prepared by your
Ever-watchful labor, and arranged by your genius.
Indeed, things not seen by others lie open, as if to you, the Lynx-eyed original: "Lynce." Referring to Lynceus, the Argonaut famed for his keen sight.;
Useful hereafter for human needs.
Therefore, just as a single plant or a single book
Obtained a famous name through the studies of those men:

Decorative drop-cap 'A' containing a landscape scene with a tree.
This man is the most celebrated dictator of the Medical art,
To whom our ages have brought no similar man.
BAUHIN is celebrated in the whole world for his perfect
Writings, whose name is everywhere sacred.
At whom the Italian original: "Ausonius." stands amazed, the Frenchman venerates, the Spaniard
Admires, and the German carries to the heavenly stars.
By this Sun alone thrives the true knowledge of Plants,
And the "Microcosm" A common Renaissance term for the human body., which is a vast history, lies open.
So that he may rightly be called the Apollo and Apelles The greatest painter of antiquity; here meaning Bauhin illustrates nature perfectly. of the art:
So clearly does he illuminate what lay hidden before.
Long live BAUHIN, the immortal glory of healers,
May he flourish and thrive, eternally happy.

A wide horizontal decorative woodcut featuring a central grotesque mask flanked by elaborate scrolls, ribbons, and foliage.