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A decorative horizontal band of floral and scrollwork ornaments spans the top of the page. Below the heading, a large historiated initial "E" (translated from the Latin 'O') features a central plant with leaves and berries, framed by an ornate square border with floral motifs.

PREFACE.

Eighteen years have passed since I arrived back in my fatherland from the Indies; original: "Indis"; in the 18th century, this referred broadly to South and East Asia, including Persia, India, and Japan. not with the spoils of profit and merchandise, as returnees usually are, but laden with papers, on which I had noted down exotic knowledge, sought out in various regions with great labor, expense, and danger. I intended to present these to the public immediately in several volumes of books, in which—besides the arrangement and connection of the material, which was to be completed in a few months—nothing was lacking for perfection except that I add illustrations original: "Icones"; technical images or figures to them, first to be engraved on copper plates, without whose light and assistance exotic things are understood with the greatest difficulty. But, "three hundred" original: "trecentæ"; used here as a classical Latin idiom meaning "countless" or "innumerable." occupations and hindrances took hold of me and drew me away from my fervent purpose: for scarcely had I arrived when the cares of household affairs—difficult under this climate original: "hộc cœlo"; literally "under this sky," likely referring to the social and legal environment of his home in Lemgo compared to the freedom of travel.—entangled me, and a most laborious medical practice original: "praxis medica" (from which I had intended to desist in the future) overwhelmed me against my will. I add, that the Most Illustrious