A horizontal decorative woodcut ornament featuring symmetrical scrolling foliage, floral motifs, and stylized vines.

TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND

DISTINGUISHED MAN,

LORD JOACHIM HOPPER,

A large decorative historiated initial 'D' depicting a horse walking to the left within a square frame decorated with floral and foliate patterns.

Concerning FLOWERS, and fragrant and garland-making plants Plants used for weaving wreaths or crowns, highly valued in Renaissance gardens., most illustrious HOPPER, many things would occur to us to say, if we intended to run through every topic of discussion and write a formal eulogy: but we have not resolved to do that, thinking it sufficient to have shown in few words, in this preface to you, their utility and how much they contribute to the Medical Materials original: "materia medica," the body of collected knowledge about the therapeutic properties of any substance used for healing.. For concerning the discovery and origin of flowers and herbs: concerning the pleasantness which they bring to gardens, orchards, and all—