PREFACE

A horizontal decorative border composed of stylized floral and leafy fleurons arranged in three rows.

A large historiated drop-cap initial 'L' featuring a figure, possibly a scholar or deity, seated amidst dense foliage and vines.I HAVE ALWAYS INDEED JUDGED it to be the noblest gift of a more refined and divine philosophy to seek out, with skillful investigation, those things which lie hidden within the secret and most rich majesty of nature. It is a vast and greatest work, a hidden labor of divinity, than which none greater can be found. I have likewise judged—as Herophilus, A Greek physician (c. 335–280 BC) often called the father of anatomy. also famous in medicine, used to judge—that there is nothing that cannot be accomplished by the powers of herbs, and that most of them remain unknown. For if we gaze upon the Creator: Great is our God, and great is His power, and of His power there is no number. original: "Magnus est Deus noster... non est numerus." A paraphrase of Psalm 147:5. And if we consider those things concerning herbs committed to the memory of posterity by the ancients, they seem miraculous.

It is handed down by Pythagoras that by the herbs Coriacesia and Gallicia water is turned to ice; and by Democritus The "laughing philosopher," often associated with early alchemy and natural magic in Renaissance texts. that there is the Achemenidon, the root of which, if divided into lozenges and drunk in wine during the day, causes the guilty to confess everything through various visions of spirits during a night of torment. And if you apply Adamantida, lions fall on their backs with their mouths wide open; and that Arianis is born fiery in color, and at its touch, wood smeared with oil is set ablaze. Theangelis, when drunk, allows one to divine the future; if Gelotophyllis Literally "laughter-leaf." is drunk with myrrh and wine, various phantoms appear and there is no end to the laughing. There is even an herb whose mere touch brings back lost loves, even those set aside with hatred, as is held in the writings of Pliny. Pliny the Elder, author of the encyclopedic Natural History.

Theophrastus The "father of botany" and successor to Aristotle. mentions an herb growing among the Indians which can scatter blood and put it to flight, as it were, and conversely can collect and draw it to itself. The Baraas root, according to the tradition of Josephus, Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian, who described this glowing root in The Jewish War. shines like a beam of light in the evening; it flees from those approaching it unless menstrual blood is poured over it, and it delivers those who are oppressed by a cacodemon An evil spirit or demon.. Democritus said, and Theophrastus believed, there is an herb by whose contact a wedge driven into a tree by shepherds would leap out when applied by a bird. By throwing the herb Ethiopis, all lakes and pools are dried up, and by its touch all things are opened. When Achimenis is cast into the battle line of the enemy, the ranks tremble and turn their backs. Xanthus, the author of histories, relates that a slain dragon cub was recalled to life by its parent with the herb Bali, and by the same herb, Thylon, whom the dragon had killed, was restored to health. And Juba, King of Mauritania, relates that a man was recalled to life by an herb.

If, therefore, our ancestors clearly recognized such great virtues in such tiny little plants, why should we fear that similar or greater things might be found by us as we search? It would be a judgment of utter folly and stupidity to think that the great Creator of things wished these secrets to be hidden from men, for He would have created them in vain—especially since He made these things most manifest to animals who lack intellect. Who taught the deer that the herb dittany original: "dictamum." A plant famous in antiquity for its supposed ability to expel arrows from wounds. is effective for extracting arrows, so that when struck by that weapon, they eject it by feeding on that plant? Who taught the swallows that the herb celandine original: "chelidoniam." From the Greek word for swallow; it was believed swallows used the sap to heal their fledglings' eyes. is most healthful for the sight, and that they might heal the troubled eyes of their chicks with it? The tortoise restores its strength against serpents by feeding on savory.