ULISSE ALDROVANDI

NOBLEMAN OF BOLOGNA

THE METALLIC MUSEUM

DIVIDED INTO FOUR BOOKS

BARTOLOMEO AMBROSINI

Ordinary Professor of Simple Medicines Medicinal plants and minerals in their natural state at the University of Bologna,

Prefect of the Museum of the Most Illustrious Senate of Bologna and of the Public Garden,

composed this work with labor and study.

With a most copious index.

MARCO ANTONIO BERNIA

published this at his own expense.

TO THE MOST SERENE

RANUCCIO II

FARNESE

SIXTH DUKE OF PARMA, PIACENZA, ETC.

Giovanni Battista Coriolano made this. original: "Io. B. Coriolanus F." - "F." stands for "fecit," indicating the engraver.

WEALTH IS DUG OUT

original: "EFFODIVNTVR OPES" - a reference to Ovid's Metamorphoses, suggesting that while riches are extracted from the earth, they can also lead to vice.