History of Rare Plants

It is only right that a great share of the praise should also fall to him, since he endured no small amount of toil. But who was your guide or companion when, over the span of eight months, you traversed the lands parched by the burning sun where the spirited Iberian people dwell, gathering a thousand herbs with a covetous hand? Who could or would dare to claim for himself even the slightest portion of your renown? Who was your teacher in learning of those herbs which—as you gathered them—we now know the high ridges of the Pannonian mountains produce as new discoveries, and which we now possess in our own gardens through your gift? The Iberian would be ignorant of his own treasures, the Pannonian would be ignorant of his own treasures, and the world itself would know nothing of the wealth of both, were it not for your instruction. That our gardens now nurture delights that please and soothe the eyes at a glance, or brighten the flowerbeds with their rarity, we owe to you alone. And with gratitude and applause, Clusius, we all now diligently read your learned writings, and future generations will read them with equal zeal as long as Phoebus retains his honor and Flora her beauty. Wherever the sun rises and sets, they shall exalt the name of Clusius with eternal fame, shining bright above the stars.

A decorative woodcut tailpiece showing two winged putti in dynamic poses. They flank a central ornamental pedestal topped with a stylized face mask and foliage. The putti hold onto the central structure, which is further embellished with scrolls. The bottom of the design features clusters of fruit, including grapes and a pear, hanging from leafy branches.