Natural History

Nevertheless, he was not moved by the mathematical response in the same way: some signify enough, or much, not absolutely or positively. Likewise Suetonius in the Life of Galba: "Wherefore his arrival was not equally welcome," that is, not sufficiently or very much. Sometimes it signifies "equally," as in this place, which is in Cicero, in his letters: "I love you equally, as concerning the war." The argument of this stomach This term is used here in a double sense, referring to both the physical organ and one's temperament or disposition.: that I might be equally favorable to those who came before and those who follow. "Stomach" is taken by our people in a better sense, for indignation, as "I cannot write without stomach [indignation]"; some take it in a good sense, for facility, as in this place. From our [authors], "the stomach of [his] greatness," i.e., of this kind of facility and mildness and benignity. From our [authors], "most useful and nearest." From the invention of which Job, Pliny uses as a suspicion. These are said to be bound by a certain chain, as if the face of my [writings] were bound: these are said to be denoted by "balis": joining the solid gall, they do not harm the living. From [their] most beloved.

i.e.

that he might contain [them] in individual books: I have appended [this] to this letter. Take the greatest care that you do not have them to be read, but [rather] to be worked through. You will provide for this and other things: that they are not read [by everyone], but that each person, when he desires something, may seek it only there: and know in what place to find it. Valerius Soranus a Roman poet and scholar did this before me in our letters, in the books he wrote concerning those things to be looked upon original: "epoptidōn". Farewell.

A SUMMARY OF WHAT IS CONTAINED IN EACH BOOK.

The first is a preface of the work to the Emperor T. Vespasian.
Also the names of the authors: from whom he took those things which he pursues in thirty-six books, touching upon chapters of individual matters.
Second, concerning the world: the elements and the stars.
Third, the first and second gulf of Europe.
Fourth, the third gulf of Europe.
Fifth, Africa is described.
Sixth, the description of Asia is contained.
Seventh, concerning man and things invented by man.
Eighth, the kinds of land animals.
Ninth, aquatic animals.
Tenth, the kinds of birds.
Eleventh, insect animals.
Twelfth, plants of aromatic substances.
Thirteenth, plants of foreign trees.
Fourteenth, plants of vines.
Fifteenth, plants of fruit-bearing trees.
Sixteenth, plants of forest trees.
Seventeenth, plants of cultivated trees.
Eighteenth, the nature of grains and cereals: and the studies of farmers.
Nineteenth, flax, spartum a type of broom plant used for cordage, and garden plants.
Twentieth, what is appropriate for food and medicine from cultivated plants.
Twenty-first, flowers and garlands.
Twenty-second, crowns and medicines from herbs.
Twenty-third, medicines from wine and urban trees.
Twenty-fourth, medicines from forest trees.
Twenty-fifth, medicines from herbs growing spontaneously.
Twenty-sixth, new diseases and the medicines of certain herbs for diseases.
Twenty-seventh, other certain herbs and medicines.
Twenty-eighth, medicines from man and large animals.
Twenty-ninth, concerning medical authors and medicines from the rest of the animals.
Thirtieth, magic: and certain medicines for the limbs.
Thirty-first, medicines from aquatic animals.
Thirty-second, the remainder from aquatic animals.
Thirty-third, metals of gold and silver.
Thirty-fourth, metals of bronze and lead: and bronze artisans.
Thirty-fifth, painting and colors and painters.
Thirty-sixth, marbles and stones.
Thirty-seventh, gems.

Books
The World.
So far.
Third.
Africa.
Asia.
The World.
To the rest.
Animals.
Follows.
Remain.
Animals.
So far.
External.
Olive.
Fruit-bearing.
Nature.
Follows.
Stars.
Greatest.
In gardens.
To complete.
Finished.
Lest forests.
And itself.
Felt.
Grows.
It had been said.
Nature.
Magical.
Aquatic.
Wind.
Metals.
Next.
Of metals.
Of stones.
So that nothing.

BOOK Second is contained concerning the world and celestial and terrestrial and aerial [things], whether the world is finite: and whether it is one. Ch. i.
Concerning its form. Ch. ii.
Concerning its motion. Ch. iii.
Why it is called "world." Ch. iiii.
Concerning the four elements. Ch. v.
Concerning the seven planets. Ch. vi.
Concerning God. Ch. vii.
Concerning the nature of wandering stars. Ch. viii.
Concerning the nature of the moon. Ch. viiii.

Defects eclipses of the sun and moon and by night. Ch. x.
Concerning the magnitude of the stars. Ch. xi.
What each person discovered in celestial observation. Ch. xii.
Concerning defects eclipses. Ch. xiii.
Concerning the motion of the moon. Ch. xiiii.
The motion of wandering [stars] and the canon of lights. Ch. xv.
Why the same appear at times higher, at times lower. Ch. xvi.
General [observations] of wandering stars. Ch. xvii.