The Friend of Physicians and the Praise of Cooks: An Annotated Bibliography of Herbal texts in Special Collections At San Diego State University
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Alpini, Prosper, 1553-1617. Prosperi Alpini De plantis Aegypti Liber. In Qvo Non Pavci, Qvi Circa Herbarum Materiam Irrepserunt, Errores, Deprehenduntur, Quorum Causa Hactenus Multa Medicamenta Ad Vsum Medicine Admodum Expetenda, Plerisque Medicorum, Non Sine Artis Iactura, Occulta, Atque Obsoleta Iacuerunt ... Accessit Etiam Liber de Balsamo Aliàs Editus. Venetiis: Apud Franciscum de Franciscis Senensem, 1592.
This book is written entirely in Latin and includes Latin and Arabic marginalia. Included are beautiful full-page woodcuts and an index in the front of the book titled “index omnivm capitvlorvm qvae in toto opere continentr.” After the “finis libri de plantis” at the end of the main text, there is a “dialogvs.” Conveniently an “index eorvm omnivm, qvae in toto opere continentvr” has been included along with an errata at the end of the book. This book is bound in brown leather with small amount of gold tooling. Bauhin, Caspar, 1560-1624. Caspari Bavhini Prodromos Theatri Botanici: In qvo Plantæ Svpra Sexcentæ ab ipso Primum Descriptæ cum Plurimis Figuris Proponuntur. Basileæ: Impensis Ioannis Regis, 1671.
This book, bound with Bauhin’s noted Pinax Theatri botanici, has speckled paper boards and leather corners along with a gilt stamped spine. Of note in this volume are numerous woodcuts of various plants (which do not appear in the Pinax), and an index at the end. Evidence of worm damage appears in the latter half of this volume. Bauhin, an illustrious physician from Basle, started his education as a young child under the tutelage of his father who also held the same occupation. In addition to his father’s teachings, he also studied botany under the direction of his brother, Jean Bauhin. One of his greatest feats during his years as a physician was to universally standardize the naming of the muscles of the human body. His Pinax Theatri Bontanici was the result of forty years research and experience. Bauhin is responsible for binomial nomenclature. (DSB 522-524). Bauhin, Caspar, 1560-1624. Caspari Bauhini Pinax Theatri botanici, sive Index in Theophrasti, Dioscoridis, Plinii et Botanicorvm qui à Seculo Scripserunt Opera: Plantarvm Circiter Sex Millivm ab ipsis Exhibitarvm Nomina cum Earundem Synonymijs & Differentijs Methodice Secundum Genera & Species Proponens: Opvs XL. Annorvm Summopere Expetitum ad Autoris Autographum Recensitum. Basileæ: Impensis Joannis Regis, 1671.
First published in 1623, the Pinax Theatri botanici is considered to be Bauhin’s main work, as it compiled information about 6,000 botanical species in a register thought to be the first of its kind. (Arber, 116). The book is written in Italian and Latin with some Greek, and it contains marginalia, an index and appendix, and an errata page at the end. Bock, Hieronymus, 1498-1554. Kreütterbuch, darin underscheidt, Rammen und Würckung der Kreütter, Staüden / Hecken und Bäumen / mit ihren Früchten / so in TeutschenLanden wachsen / auch der Selben eigentlicher und wolgegründter Gebrauch inn der Artzney / fleissig dargeben / Leibs gesundheit zu fürdern und zu behalten sehr nützlich und tröstlich / bevorab dem Gemeinen und Einfaltigen Mann. Item von den vier elementen / zamen und wilden Thieren / auch Vöglen und Fischen / Milch / Käss / Butter / Honig / Wachs / Zucker / Saltz / Brot / Wein / Essig / Oeln / Eyer / Blut / Schmaltz / Unschlit / Allerhand Kochkreutter / Specerey / und Gewürtz. Auch wie alle Speiss und Dranck / Gesunden und Krancken / dargereicht werden sollen. Alles durch H. Hieronymum Bock / auss langwüriger und gewisser Erfahrung / beschriben. Hernacher mit vilen nutzlichen Experimenten gemehret / durch den Hochgelehrten MELCHIOREM SEBIZIVM, der Artzney Doctorem und Physicum zu Strassburg ... Sampt Sechs nützlichen Registern. Mit Röm. Ker. May. Freyheit auff zehen Jar. Gedruckt zu Strassburg/im Jar, 1595.
The bulk of this text is in German, although it contains some Latin and Greek. The end of the Latin index the entire Greek index, as well as the “index nomenclatvrae stirpium Arabicæ,” all of which reside in the front of the book, have a portion of the text torn out. The pages continue to be torn through the seventh page. This book contains a German index in the back, as well as a register. Marginalia is scattered throughout. This volume contains beautiful engravings, hand colored with pastels and some with watercolors. This is not only an excellent book for persons studying herbals, for which two-thirds of the book is dedicated but it is also a great source for medieval or early modern historians. The last third of the book holds many detailed engravings which include depictions of people donning the garb of their time and going about their daily chores. In addition, we are privileged to see depictions of ships and tools of the late sixteenth century. Architecture can be seen in the background as well as illustrations of world globes, butchers, fish mongrels, and the marketplace. Burgess, Edward Sandford, 1855-1928. History of Pre-Clusian Botany In Its Relation to Aster; by Edward Sandford Burgess. New York: Pub. by the Club, 1902.
The preface of this book indicates that the volume does not contain descriptions of plant species and that an additional book will be added to this collection with descriptions. Ancient wise men such Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Virgil as well as more recent botanists such as Rembert Dodoens (1517-1585) are only a few of the sources Burgess uses as basis for the Aster. This book has an “addenda” (errata), as well as an “index of subjects, authors and species” in the back of the book. Chaumeton, François Pierre, 1775-1819. Flore Médicale Décrite par MM. Chaumeton, Poiret, Chamberet, Peinte par Mme. E. P. et par M.J. Turpin. Paris: C.L.F. Panckoucke, 1832-1841.
Each volume is written in French and arranged in alphabetical order. Each description of the botanicals is accompanied by a beautiful colored etching which remains in excellent condition. However, the pages of the text contain a considerable amount of foxing. Book one starts out with a short “Discours Préliminaire” before going into the descriptions of the plants. Each plant description begins with the French name of the plant followed by a list of the Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, English, German, and Russian names however, some entries such as the pomegranate include the Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Arabic, and Hebrew names as well. Volume seven contains an introduction and is assembled in a slightly different fashion from the rest of the set. Volume seven consists of table of illustrated plant parts alongside descriptions of them. Clusius, Carolus, 1526-1609. Caroli Clvsii Atrebat. Rariorum Aliquot Stirpium per Hispanias Obseruatarum Historia, Libris Dvobvs Expressa… Antverpiæ: Ex officina C. Plantini, 1576.
This book has a modern vellum binding. The text of this book is in Latin and contains numerous very beautiful woodcuts. Provided in this volume is an “index prior stirpivm qvæ in hoc libro continentvr” and “alter index stirpivm peregrines, hispanicis et aliis vvlgaribvs lingvis expressarvm nomenclatvram continens.”
Commelin, Caspar, 1667-1731. Caspari Commelin M.D. ... Præludia Botanica ad Publicas Plantarum Exoticarum Demonstrationes ... His Accedunt Plantarum Rariorum & Exoticarum, in Præludiis Botanicis Recensitarum, Icones & Descriptiones. Lugduni Batavorum: apud Fredericum Haringh, 1703.
This volume is bound in mottled sheep skin of excellent condition. It is bound with Commelin’s Horti medici, contains an errata and has a clipping from the Jonathon Hill Catalogue 34 1987. This book contains thirty-three beautiful engravings, one of which requires a folding page. Præludia botanica is in Latin. This work seems to be a complement of the work of his uncle, Jan Commelin “Horti Medici Amstelodamensis (1698-1701), which is considered to be Jan Commelin’s most important contribution to botanical knowledge” (Hill 1987). Caspar Commelin was physician as well as a botanist. He achieved the position of chair of botany at Amsterdam and is credited with making one of the most impressive botanical gardens at Amsterdam. (Hill 1987). Commelin, Caspar, 1667-1731. Horti medici Amstelædamensis Plantæ Rariores et Exoticæ ad Vivum Æri Incisæ. Lugduni Batavorum: Apud Fredericum Haringh, 1706.
This book is bound with Commelin’s Proelundia Bontanica (1703), described above. It is written in Latin and contains forty-eight engravings.
Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654. Culpeper's English Physician and British Herbal. To Which is Added, The Family Physician; Containing the Safest and Cheapest Remedies for the Various Disorders Incidental to the Human Body ... Also, a Dissertation on the Advantages of Vegetable Over Animal Diet, and a Plain Analysis of Botany. By Dr. Dickerson. London: J. Bumpus, 1814.
San Diego State University owns four copies of this work by Nicholas Culpeper, however, the titles vary. Culpeper originally published his book in 1652. This copy contains a dissertation by Dr. Dickerson as is stated in the title. This book does not contain illustrations other than the portrait of Culpeper, which appears as the frontispiece, which is a replica of the one seen in his 1654 publication. However, Culpeper provides necessary descriptions of various plants and a very in depth description of the “government and virtues” of each plant. Of note, are directions for making medicinal syrups, which may be found before the table of herbs and the table of diseases. Nicholas Culpeper studied briefly at Cambridge. He was an apprentice to an apothecary before he became a renowned physician and astrologer. Many of his works were published after his death. The English Physician and British Herbal was one of his last works published in his lifetime (DNB v. 5, 286-287).
Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654. Culpeper's Complete Herbal, and English Physician : Wherein Several Hundred Herbs, With a Display of their Medicinal and Occult Properties ... to Which are Added, Rules ... Selected From the Author's Last Legacies ... to Which is Annexed, The British Florist, or Flower Garden Displayed ... Manchester: J. Gleave, 1826.
This volume is bound in brown leather with paper boards made to look like burled wood, and a sticker of the bookbinder reads, “Bound by Johnston Shield & Co. Booksellers and Stationary Hettondurham.” This copy contains a large portrait of Culpeper as it appeared in its original publication. This volume contains numerous hand painted etchings and a one-page index.
Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654. The Complete Herbal: To Which is Now Added Upwards of One Hundred Additional Herbs with a Display of Their Medicinal and Occult Qualities Physically Applied to the Cure of All Disorders Incident to Mankind, to Which are Now First Annexed the English Physician Enlarged and Key to Physic with Rules for Compounding Medicine According to the True System of Nature Forming a Complete Family Dispensatory and Natural System of Physic; To Which is also Added Upwards of Fifty Choice Receipts Selected From the Author's Last Legacy to his Wife. London: Thomas Kelly, 1835.
Of note in this book is the first page where Culpeper warns the reader about some “false” books of his which have mistakes in them. These “false” books are titled The English Physician. The true first editions were titled The Complete Herbal and English Physician Enlarged. However, these “false” books would have been printed in Culpeper’s time. He then discusses on how to distinguish between “the true one from the false.” This volume is bound in green cloth and under Culpeper’s portrait is an illustration of his home. This book contains pages throughout that hold nine engravings, hand painted by “Thomas Kelly. London. 1835.” Interesting sections in this work include, “The English Physician and Family Dipensatory. An astrologo-physical discourse of the human virtues in the body of man; both principal and administering.” “A Catalogue of Simples in the New Dispensatory” and “A Key to Galen’s Method of Physic.” Culpeper also included his “…Last Legacies. Select Medicinal Aphorisms and Receipts, for many diseases our frail natures are incident to.” For the convenience of the reader, there is included a “General Index to the English Physician Enlarged, and Galen’s Key to Physic.” Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654. The British Herbal and Family Physician, for the Cure of Diseases Incident to the Human Frame. London: W. Nicholson and Sons, [1922].
This red cloth bound book contains all of its colored illustrations at the beginning. The back of the book contains a section of “Directions for Gathering Leaves, Roots, Barks, Seeds, &C.” It also contains a “Definition of Terms,” a table, an index of “Diseases Cured by the Herbs” and a general index of herbs.
Dioscorides, Pedanius, of Anazarbos. Codex Vindobonensis Medicus Graecus 1 of the Austrian National Library, Vienna. [Arlington, Mass.]: Editions Medicina Rara, [1977?].
The introduction to this collection is titled “Twelve Miniatures from the Anicia Juliana Codex (Codex Vindobonensis med. Grace. 1) 6th Century A.D.” According to the introduction, this copy of the Vienna Dioscorides “was created in the early 6th century and provides through word and picture a view of the botany of late antiquity with special reference to those areas of botany which were important for the physician.” The brilliant facsimiles that SDSU holds are of manuscripts of Apsynthion Bathyprikon, Akanthion, Drakontaia Mikre, Kentaureion To Lepton, Kyklaminos, Mekon Roias, Mekon Keratites, Panax Heraklios, Rhodon, Physallis, Chrysokome He Chrysites, and Strychnos Megas Kepaios. Many contain Greek and Arabic marginalia. Dioscorides lived during the reign of the Emperor Nero. Dioscorides’s name can be found abbreviated in many herbals, including in this bibliography, as a source. The original De Materia Medica, the Latin name for Dioscorides’s work, was not illustrated. The illustrations which appear in the facsimile edition of the Vienna Dioscorides are from “the collection Rhizotomicon of Crateuas of Pergamon, physician in ordinary to King Mithridates VI of Pontus (120-63 B.C.).” Dioscorides, Pedanius, of Anazarbos. Dioscoridis Libri Octo Graece et Latine : Castigationes in Eosdem Libros. Parisiis : Apud Petrum Haultinum, 1549.
This book contains the Greek Dioscorides text alongside translated Latin text. It contains a Greek index followed by a Latin index found in the beginning of the volume. The text is in eight books and is preceded by “Inter Dioscoridis Verba hæc falso adscripta in quibusdam codicibus errant.” A “Lectori” and a “Qvæ seqvvntvr, ab ipso rvellio” follow this.
Dodoens, Rembert, 1517-1585. Cruydt-Boeck / van Rembertvs Dodonævs ; Volgens Sijne Laetste Verbeteringe, met Biivoegsels Achter Elck Capittel, vvt Verscheyden Cruydtbeschrÿvers ; Item In't Laetste een Beschrijvinge Vande Indiaensche Gewaffen, Meest Getrocken wt de Schriften van Carolvs Clvsivs. Tot Leyden: Inde plantijnsche druckerije van Françoys van Ravelingen, 1618.
This book is bound in brown leather that has been treated to look marbleized. It has elaborate gold tooling and the endpapers are marbled in rust, periwinkle, sea green and tan. The text is in Dutch and is divided into thirty books. However, not all of the text is encompassed in these thirty books, like the large section of text that is at the end of the book. Detailed woodcuts of numerous species of botanicals, including sea plants adorn the pages. Provided are many indices at the back of the book in addition to the index found in the beginning of the volume.
Dodoens, Rembert, 1517-1585. Florvm, et Coronariavm Odoratarvmqve Nonnvllarvm Herbarvm Historia. Antverpiæ: Ex officina Christophori Plantini, 1569.
This book was published in Antwerp, Belgium. Christophe Plantin (1520-1589) published Dodoen’s later works as well as this one (Arber, 82). Decorated with woodcuts, the text is in Latin with some Greek and marginalia may be found on the pages. The volume contains two indexes, one in Greek and another in Latin followed by an errata. Of not is a small amount of text on the last pagfe which states that the information contained within the volume is not considered to be offensive to the church. Dodoens was born in the portion of the Netherlands in what is today Belgium. Dodoens held the prestigious position in Vienna as court physician to the Emperor Maximilian II and Rudolph II. Dodoens, was not only a renowned physician but was also a prominent figure in the realm of botany, for he is mentioned in innumerable other volumes as a great source to their works. (DSB, 138-140).
Dodoens, Rembert, 1517-1585. Frvmentorvm, Legvminvm, Palvstrivm et Aquatilivm Herbarvm, ac Eorvm, Qvae eò Pertinent, Historia: Remberto Dodonæo Mechliniensi Medico Auctore. Antverpiæ: Ex officina Christophori Plantini, 1566.
This book contains woodcuts of plants with text by P. van der Borcht. The text is in Latin, but one of the two indices is in Greek. An animaduertenda (errata) may be found at the end of the Latin index, and a svmma privilegiorvm is at the end of Greek index. There exists a repaired page at the end of the book.
Dodoens, Rembert, 1517-1585. A Nievve Herball; or, Historie of Plantes: Wherein is Contayned the VVhole Discourse and Perfect Description of all Sortes of Herbes and Plantes: Their Diuers and Sundry Kindes ... and That Not Onely of Those Which are Here Growyng in this our Cuntrie of Englande but of all Others Also of Forrayne Realmes Commonly Used in Physicke. First Set Foorth in the Doutche or Almaigne Tongue, by that Learned D. Rembert Dodoens ... and Now First Translated out of French into English, by Henry Lyte. London: G. Dewes, 1578.
The remnants of blue and red marbled paper are vaguely seen on the cover boards, which are bound with a brown leather spine. Evidence of vellum repair or reinforcement pieces appear on two corners. Of note is a large hole in the middle of the title on the intricate title page, which also omits the top portion of a coat of arms on the verso. This book is dedicated “to the most High, Noble, and Renovvmed Princesse, our most dread redoubted Soueraigne Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queene of Englande, Fraunce, and Irelande…” This book is in English with some Latin on the pages about “Remberti Dodonæi” and a few Greek words throughout. A Nievve Herball also contains a page titled “Thomas Nevvtonus, Cestreshyrus” and a page “In commendation of this vvorke, and the Translatour.” A Latin appendix resides in the beginning of the book and marginalia may be found throughout the book. There are six books in this volume, which contain detailed descriptions, virtues, and woodcut illustrations of plants. This book contains an “Index Latinorum nominum, quibus Veteres & Viri…” an “Index appellationum & nomenclaturarum ominium…” and “The Englishe Table conteyning the names and syrnames of all the Herbes, Trees…” at the back of the book.
Botanical sample found between pages 274-275 of Rembert Dodoens, A Nievve Herball; or, Historie of Plantes (London: G. Dewes, 1578).
Durante, Castore, 1529-1590. Herbario Nvovo di Castore Dvrante, Ove Son Figure, che Rappresentano le Viue Piante che Nascono in Tutta Europa, & Nell'Indie Orientali, & Occidentali, e Versi Latini che Comprendono le Facoltà de' Semplici Medicament... In Venetia: Appresso I Givnti, 1636.
This volume is bound in vellum, and a majority of the text is in Italian and Latin with some Greek. This book contains brilliantly detailed woodcuts. An index is included as well as a “tavola delle infirmita” and a “figvre aggrvntesenza discorsi” which contains pages of only woodcuts and names of the species depicted, with no additional description other than this. Castore Durante was an Italian physician who was not known for his knowledge of botanicals. Instead he was renown for having a very entertaining picturesque botanical book, Herbario Nvovo (Arber 102).
Estienne, Charles, 1504-ca. 1564. De Re Hortensi Libellus, Vulgaria Herbarum, Florum, ac Fruticum, Qui in Hortis Conseri Solent, Nomina Latinis Vocibus Effere Docens ex Probatis Autoribus. Lugduni: Apud S. Gryphium, 1536.
De Re Hortensi Libellus is written in Latin and is ninety-seven pages in length, not including the “Indices Dvo Latinarvm & Gallicarum.” This volume contain many different books and is bound in brown leather which has been beautifully imprinted. However, De Re Hortensi Libellus does not contain any illustrations.
Fassam, Thomas. An Herbarium for the Fair: Being a Book of Common Herbs; With Etchings by Betty Shaw-Lawrence; Together With Curious Notes on Their Histories and Uses for the Furtherance of Loveliness and Love. London: Hand and Flower Press, 1949.
This one-eighth brown morocco volume with gray paper boards is one of only two hundred and fifty copies sold. SDSU has copy number seven as stated above Thomas Fassam’s signature on the last page of this volume. Each etching includes a signature of the artist, Betty Shaw-Lawrence. Although printed in the twentieth century, this book in many ways resembles older herbals in its arrangement and subject matter. Fassam divides his chapters by arranging different plants by their uses such as hair coloring and face painting. The book also contains a list of works consulted.
Freeman, Margaret Beam, 1899- . Herbs for the Mediaeval Household, For Cooking, Healing and Divers Uses. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1948.
This book is conveniently broken down into sections titled, “herbs for cooking, herbs for healing, herbs for poisoning pests, and sweet smelling herbs.” Freeman has included an “index of herbs by common name” and an “index of herbs by botanical names.” This is a great book for anyone who is interested in the use of herbs in everyday life in the Middle Ages. Fuchs, Leonhart, 1501-1566. De Historia Stirpium Commentarii Insignes / Adiectis Earundem Viuis, & ad Naturæ Imitationem Artificiose Expressis Imaginibus, Leonharto Fuchsio ... Autore; Triplex Item Index, Prior Stirpium Latinus Nomenclaturas, Alter Officinis & Vulgo Viitatas, Tertius Gallicus Dabit. Lugduni: Apud Balthazarem Arnolletum, 1551.
De Historia Stirpium is written in Latin, however, it contains the French equivalents of names of plant species. This book proves to have been very useful to someone in the past as is evident by the extraordinary amount of marginalia and underlining that can be seen throughout the book. De Historia Stirpium contains an index “Latinarvm ap pellationvm, Index appellationvm qvibvs pharmacopolae, [and an] Indice des noms Francoys.” The end of the book contains an “Explicatio qvarvndam vocvm toto hoc opere passim occvrrentivm.” Beautiful woodcut illustrations can be found throughout the text. This book is bound in brown leather that would have most likely once contained ties or clasps as indicated by the four holes located on the edges to hold the book closed. It has some gold gilt on the spine and on the front and back boards. Gerard, John, 1545-1612. The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. Gathered by John Gerarde of London, Master in Chirvrgerie. Very Much Enlarged and Amended by Thomas Johnson, Citizen and Apothecarye of London. London: Printed by Adam Islip, Joice Norton & Richard Whitakers, 1633.
This volume is bound in brown leather bound with gold stamped gilt on the spine and borders and has a beautiful impression on the cover. This book contains red, yellow and heather end papers and marginalia. This volume is made up of three complete books written in English with very little Latin text. There are many pages addressed to the reader in the beginning of the compilation and a multitude of meticulous woodcuts alongside detailed descriptions of plants, including sea plant life, and fruits and vegetables. At the back of the volume is a variety of tables and indexes: “An Appendix or Addition of certaine Plants omitted in the former Historie,” an “Index Latinvs Stirpivm in Hoc opere descriptarum necnon nomina quædam Græca,” “Nominvm et Opinionvm Har,” “Table of such English names as are attributed to the Herbes, Shrubs, and Trees mentioned in this Historie,” “A Supplement or Appendix vnto the generall Table,” “A Catalogue of the Brittish Names of Plants, sent me by Master Robert Dauyes of Guissaney in Flint-Shire,” “A Table, Wherein is Contained the Natvre and Vertves of all the Herbes, Trees, and Plants, described in this present Herbal.” The book also contains an errata. According to Arber, Gerard’s work is not original. It seems that Rembert Dodoens (1517- 1585) had written one last unpublished compilation before he died, and Gerard acquired a copy of this work. Gerard acknowledges Dodoens’s unpublished work as newly translated by a Doctor Priest who never finished it, but has since been lost. Gerard is criticized for not even having his descriptions and woodcuts match up because of his lack of botanical knowledge (Arber 129-132).
Graves, George, 1754-1839. Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Guide to More Than 180 Plants that Cure Disease and Relieve Pain / by George Graves; With a Foreword by A. Hollman. New York: Crescent Books: Distributed by Crown Publishers, 1990.
Throughout this text are a list of the beautifully detailed colored plates. This herbal gives brief descriptions of the physical elements of the plants as well as their medicinal or miscellaneous uses, such a cooking. This book contains a “glossary of medical terms” and an index. Grew, Nehemiah, 1641-1712. The Anatomy of Plants. With An Idea of a Philosophical History of Plants. And Several Other Lectures, Read Before the Royal Society. [London]: Printed by W. Rawlins, for the author, 1682.
This book contains detailed etchings of parts of plants and fruits that have been greatly magnified through the use of the microscope. This book contains an index as well as an explanation of tables. This book is sectioned into three parts. The first, “An Idea of a Philosophical History of Plants,” contains a table of contents, and the second, “The Anatomy of Plants” contains four books and begins with a new series of page numbers. The third section of this book includes “Several Lectures [six] Read before the Royal Society.” Topics of these lectures include mixtures, and colors of plants. Hale, Thomas, gardener. Eden: or, A Compleat Body of Gardening. Containing Plain and Familiar Directions for the Raising the Several Useful Products of a Garden, Fruits, Roots, and Herbage; From the Practice of the Most Successful Gardeners, and the Result of Long Experience ... Comp. and Digested from the Papers of the Late Celebrated Mr. Hale, by the Authors of the Compleat Body of Husbandry … London: Printed for T. Osborne [etc.], 1757.
The spine title of this volume is labeled Hill’s Body of Gardening, however the true author is Thomas Hale. After Hale’s death, John Hill (1714?-1775) and others wrote this book from Hale”s research and work. The front page contains an elaborate and detailed etching of “The Genius of Botany explaining to the Gardner the Characters of Plants, while Flora & Pomona offer him their choicest Products, as Rewards of his Labor.” The text of this book is in English, and the dedication is to “the Earl of Bute” and was written by John Hill. This book contains very unusual marbled endpapers, which are black, cream, gray, taupe, and tawny brick red. The book is bound in brown leather. This book is written as if by a scholar for a student of botany, explaining numerous aspects of the plant as well as giving a detailed description of the plant structure. Delightfully intricate etchings of many plant species are included on full pages. The book chapters are divided up into different numbers and sections and then by the time of year. For example, “Number XVII For the first Week in January. Section I.” This book contains an index and a list of contents located in the back of the book. Hill, John, 1714?-1775. The British Herbal: An History of Plants and Trees, Natives Britain, Cultivated For Use, or Raised For Beauty. London: Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton [etc.] 1756.
The caption under the elaborate etching on the first page reads “The Genius of Health receiving the tributes of Europe Asia Africa and America and delivering them to the British Reader.” John Hill dedicated his book to the Earl of Northumberland. Hill has divided his book into sections of Class, Series, Genus and even further into British species and Foreign species. There are thirty-five classes in all. Full pages of engravings of botanicals are incorporated throughout. An index is provided in the back of the book. This book is bound in brown leather and has a gilt stamped spine. Hill, John, 1714?-1775. The Family Herbal, or, An Account of all Those English Plants, Which are Remarkable For Their Virtues, and of the Drugs Which are Produced by Vegetables of Other Countries; With Their Descriptions and Their Uses, as Proved by Experience ... By Sir John Hill. Bungay: C. Brightly and T. Kinnersley, [1812].
SDSU has two copies of The Family Herbal. The first copy is bound in blue and brown paper with a hand written title on the spine. Also included on the title page is “Directions for the gathering and preserving roots, herbs, flowers, and seeds; the various methods of preserving these simples for present use; receipts for making distilled waters, conserves, syrups, electuaries, juleps, draughts, &c. &c. with necessary cautions in giving them.” Included are fifty-four beautiful hand colored etchings. This book contains a most lengthy and thorough introduction. Contained in the herbal are detailed descriptions of plants as well as their medicinal purposes. Included is an appendix “concerning the virtues of plants which have not yet been tried.” The second copy also contains fifty-four hand colored etchings. The etchings are the same as those found in the above copy but are arranged between different pages. This copy is bound in one-fourth tan leather and brown cloth. Hill, John, 1714?-1775. Herbarium Britannicum : Exhibens Plantas Britanniæ Indigens Secundum Methodum Floralem Novam Digestas, Cum Historia, Descriptione, Characteribus Specificis, Viribus, et Usis : Tabulis Æneis Illustratum. Londini: Sumptibus Auctoris : Prostant Apud Baldwin ... [et al.], Bibliopolas, 1769-1770.
This book is bound in dark brown leather decorated with a little gold gilding. The text is in Latin; however, it contains some English names and starts immediately without a preface or introduction. Included at the end of the text is an index. The entire second half of the book contains extraordinarily detailed etchings. Irving, C. (Christopher), d. 1856. A Catechism of Botany; Containing a Description of the Most Familiar and Interesting Plants, Arranged According to the Linnean System. With an Appendix on the Formation of an Herbarium. Adapted to the Use of Schools in the United States. With engraved ills. New York: F. & R. Lockwood, 1824.
This small paperback is held in a false book. It contains a table of engraved illustrations of botanicals in the front of the book. This book is written in a question and answer format. It contains an appendix “on the Formation of an Herbarium, or Hortus Siccus.” Langham, William. The Garden of Health: Containing the Sundry Rare and Hidden Vertues and Properties of all Kindes of Simples and Plants ... Gathered by the Long Experience and Industry of William Langham … London, Printed by T. Harper, 1633.
This English book contains an index in the front. Each plant in alphabetical order divides this book. The author has conveniently included an index at the end of each plant entry. Each plant entry has numbers within the text, which correspond to the list of afflictions that the plants cure, at the end of the entry. The lists include such ailments as abortion, belly ache, heart ache, and plague. The end of this book contains a very extensive “Table conteining the effects of all the simples, set downe in this booke, by the order of the Alphabet.” This book is bound in three-fourths red, blue, sea foam green and golden colored marbled paper boards and pages and does not contain any illustrations. Mattioli, Pietro Andrea, 1500-1577. De i Discorsi di M. Pietro Andrea Matthioli Sanese: ... Nelli sei Libri di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo, della Materia Medicinale ... In Venetia: Appresso Bartolomeo de gli Alberti, 1604.
The text is in Latin and contains numerous tables and indices in the beginning of the book. Numerous large and detailed woodcuts are included to aid in the descriptions of the plants as well as some illustrations of birds and people going about their everyday chores like sheep shearing and illustrations of various distillation methods included in “Del Mododi distillare le acqve da tvtte le piante, et come vi si possino conservare.” Also included is information and illustrations of marine life. Dioscorides is mentioned frequently in this text. Both copies of this book are bound in vellum. Copy 2 has leather ties. Micheli, Pierantonio, 1679-1737. Nova Plantarvm Genera Ivxta Tovrnefortii Methodvm Disposita Quibus Plantæ MDCCCC Recensentur, Scilicet Fere MCCCC Nondum Observatæ, Reliquæ Suis Sedibus Restitutæ; Quarum Vero Figuram Exhibere Visum Fuit, eæ ad DL Æneis Tabulis CVIII. Graphice Expressæ Sunt; Adnotationibus, Atque Observationibus, Præcipue Fungorum, Mucorum, Affiniumque Plantarum Sationem, Ortum, & Incrementum Spectantibus, Interdum Adiectis ... Avctore Petro Antonio Michelio Flor. … Florentiae: Typis B. Paperinii, 1729.
This book is bound in vellum and contains remnants of gold gilt lettering and design around the author and title on the spine. The edges of text block are speckled with red and heather blue. The text is in Latin and contains an “index generum plantaurm, index nominum plantarum index italicus,” as well as an appendix. The remaining half of the book contains extraordinarily detailed etchings of botanicals.
Miller, Philip, 1691-1771. Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants: Described in the Gardeners Dictionary, Exhibited on Three Hundred Copper Plates, Accurately Engraven After Drawings Taken From Nature. With the Characters of Their Flowers and Seed-Vessels, Drawn When They Were in Their Greatest Perfection. To Which are Added, Their Descriptions, and an Account of the Classes to Which They Belong, According to Ray's, Tournefort's, and Linnaeus's Method of Classing Them…London: Printed for the author and sold by John Rivington [et al.], 1760.
Both volumes have brown leather spines and corners and blue marbled paper boards. This book is dedicated to “his excellency John Duke of Bedford, Marquis of Tavistock…” Volume 1 contains the heading, “A description of the figures of plants, adapted to the Gardener’s Dictionary.” The descriptions and figures very conveniently correspond to the same plate number. Both volumes contain numerous very large, impressive hand colored etchings. Millspaugh, Charles Frederick, 1854-1923. American Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated and Descriptive Guide to the American Plants Used as Homœopathic Remedie: Their History, Preparation, Chemistry and Physiological Effects. New York: Boericke & Tafel, c1887.
SDSU has only volume three of a three-volume set. The format of this book consists of the name of the species followed by a “description” of the plant and the “history and habitat” as well as “parts used and preparation, chemical constituents [and] physiological action.” Followed is a colored illustration. A glossary is included as well as a bibliography, a bibliographical index, and a general index.
Millspaugh, Charles Frederick, 1854-1923. American Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated and Descriptive Guide to Plants Indigenous to and Naturalized in the United States Which are Used in Medicine; With a New Table of Rev. Classification and Nomenclature by E. S. Harrar. New York: Dover Publications, 1974.
This book is organized in the same fashion as Millspaugh’s American Medicinal Plants, however, the plants are in a different order. This book includes a glossary, bibliography, bibliographical index, index and a therapeutic index. Mueller, Samuel. Vade-Mecum Botanicum: Oder, Beyträgliches Kräuter-Büchlein, Darinnen der Vornehmsten und in der Artzney-Kunst Gebräuchlichsten Kräuter und Bewächse ... Vorgestellet Werden ... ins Teutsche Versetzet ... Deme Beygefügt Der Curiöse Medicus und Chirurgus. Franckfurt: J.C. Mieth, 1687.
This book has marbled paper boards colored in black, red, blue, and chartreuse with a cloth spine and corners. The title page is printed in black and red ink. The text is in German and has a Latin index and a German index. This book also contains numerous beautiful woodcuts, which were colored in with pastels at a later unknown date. Newton, James, 1670?-1750. A Complete Herbal by James Newton, Containing the Prints and the English Names of Several Thousand Trees, Plants, Shrubs, Flowers, Exotics, &c., Many of Which are not to be Found in the Herbals of Either Gerard, Johnson or Parkinson. London: Printed by J. D. Dewick for Lackington Allen, 1805.
This book is bound with a tan colored cloth spine and paper on the boards. It contains a beautiful etching of James Newton. This volume contains a table of the names of authors cited as well as an index in the beginning of this book. The book consists of beautifully detailed etchings of botanicals including fruits, with short captions under the illustrations. Pallas, Peter Simon, 1741-1811. Flora Rossica: Seu, Stirpium Imperii Rossici per Europam et Asiam Indigenarum Descriptiones et Icones: Iussu et Auspiciis Catharinæ II. Augustæ. Petropoli: J.J. Weitbrecht, 1784-88.
This folio volume is bound with two parts in treated sheep leather made to look like burled wood. The labeling of the full-page, beautiful hand painted etchings are in both Latin and Russian while the rest of the text is in Latin. There are corresponding etchings for almost every page of text. Of note in this book is the last page of the volume containing twenty-four hand colored examples of various kinds of wood grain. Parkinson, John, 1567-1650. Theatrum Botanicvm: The Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent... London: Printed by Tho[mas] Cotes, 1640.
This book, bound in brown leather, remains in excellent condition. Remnants of gold stamped gilt are apparent on the outer edge of the cover. Theatrum Botanicvm has a beautifully etched title page. The book is dedicated “to the kings most excellent maiestie” from “Your Majestyes Loyall Subject, Servant, and Herbarist, John Parkinson.” This book is written in English with some Latin in the beginning. Encompassed in the seventeen tribes (books) in this volume are beautiful woodcuts of many species of plants, including sea plants. This book contains an appendix, a Latin index, a “table of the English names,” and a “Table of the Virtues, and Properties of all the Herbs and Plants, contained in this Worke.” An “errata sic corrigenda” appears at the end of the volumes, and some marginalia is scattered among the text. Included in this book is information on embalming mummies including a woodcut illustration and an explanation of the plants which were used. John Parkinson was Charles I’s (1625-1649)herbalist and had a famous garden. Parkinson, in his book Theatrum Botanicvm utilizes Caspar Bauhin’s (1560- 1620)Pinax for his use of nomenclature. (Arber 135-138).
This section of Parkinson’s work focuses on the
use of plants for embalming. Salmon, William, 1644-1713. Botanologia. The English herbal: Or, History of Plants … London: Printed by I. Dawks for H. Rhodes and J. Taylor, 1710.
This volume is bound in brown leather. The endpapers are fashioned in a marbled taupe design resembling cobblestones, with lapis colored detail. Of note in this volume is an inserted page which contains information on the other two copies of this book which are held in the British Museum in the Kings Library and Sir Joseph Banks’ Library. This volume is dedicated to the Queen from “your majesties most humble, most faithful, and most obedient subject and servant, William Salmon.” This book consists of descriptions of plants alongside beautiful detailed woodcuts. Included is an “index plantarum” and an “index Latinus.” Schiele, Johann Georg. Joh. Georg Schielens Practicirter Blumen-Garten: Worinnen Angezeiget ... Wird Wie die Principal- Oder Haupt-Blumen ... mit Philosophischen Rationibus und Vernunfft-Regeln … Ulm: Drucks und Verlags Matthæi Wagners sel. Erben, 1696.
This book contains tables throughout its German text. The book is few woodcuts, some of which fold out. A previous owner, possibly Müller or someone from the same era, provided an extensive hand written index in the back of the book listing the names of the species of botanicals and their page number. This book is bound in vellum. Spratt, G. (George). Flora Medica: Containing Coloured Delineations of the Various Medicinal Plants Admitted into the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Pharmacopœias; with their Natural History, Botanical Descriptions, Medical and Chemical Properties, &c. &c.; Together with a Concise Introduction to Botany; A Copious Glossary of Botanical Terms; And a List of Poisonous Plants, &c. &c. Ed. by a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, and Fellow of the Linnæan Society; With the Assistance of Several Eminent Botanists … London: Callow and Wilson, 1829-30.
The text of this book is written in English. This book contains a table of contents, an introduction and a “Table of Botanical Terms and Definitions” at the beginning of the book. Each plant description is accompanied by a beautifully colored engraving, and a fold out illustration may be found between p. 32-33 of volume one. Within each entry the description includes the plant’s native region, classification information, “sensible and chemical properties” and “medical properties and uses.” Volume 1 and 2 are arranged in the same manner except that the second volume contains a “list of poisonous plants, poisonous mushrooms, indigenous plants” and a tabular and English index.
Stearns, Samuel 1741-1809. The American Herbal; or, Materia Medica. Wherein the Virtues of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Productions of North and South America are Laid Open, so Far as They are Known; And Their Uses in the Practice of Physic and Surgery Exhibited. Walpole [N.H.]: Printed by D. Carlisle, for Thomas & Thomas, and the author, 1801.
This book is bound in speckled brown leather over wood boards. Included on the title page is “An account of a large number of New Medical Discoveries and Improvements, which are compiled from the best authorities with much care and attention, and promulgated for the purpose of spreading medical light and information in America.” There is a preface “to physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries.” Of note is a list of subscribers and their locations and an errata. This book is alphabetically arranged with descriptions of herbs. The back of the book contains a list of general titles as well as “a short explanation of the different classes of medicines.” Sweet, Robert, 1783-1835. Cistineæ. The Natural Order of Cistus, or Rock-rose; Illustrated by Coloured Figures & Descriptions of all the Distinct Species, and the Most Prominent Varieties, That Could be at Present Procured in the Gardens of Great Britain; With the Best Directions For their Cultivation and Propagation. London: J. Ridgway, 1825-30.
This work is bound in marble-veined khaki green, black and red paper with a brown leather spine from an earlier binding decorated with modest gold gilt. It contains one hundred and twelve colored etchings alongside Sweet’s species descriptions. Of note is an advertisement and a list of references in the beginning of the book as well as alphabetical and English indices in the back of the book. Robert Sweet began his career in botanicals at the age of sixteen following in the footsteps of his older brother, James Sweet. Robert Sweet was a partner in the Stockwell Nursery by 1810 until its demise in 1815. Thereafter he served for a number of years as a prominent figure in the British horticultural community (DNB, 197). Sweet, Robert, 1783-1835. Flora Australasica; or, A Selection of Handsome, or Curious Plants, Natives of New Holland, and the South Sea Islands; Containing Coloured Figures and Descriptions of Some of the Choicest Species Most Proper for the Conservatory or Greenhouse ... In One Volume. London: J. Ridgway, 1827-28.
This one-quarter green morocco bound volume with gold gilt on its spine encloses fifty-six detailed hand colored etchings by E.D. Smith accompanied by vivid descriptions of the plant species. Contains an alphabetical index and an English index as well as a “list of books quoted” at the beginning of the book. Theophrastus. Theophrasti Eresii De Historia Plantarvm Libri Decem, Græcè et Latinè. In Quibus Textum Græcum Variis Lectionibus, Emendationibus, Hiulcorum Supplementis: Latinam Gazæ Versionem Nova Interpretatione ad Margines: Totum Opus Absolutissimis Cum Notis, Tum Commentariis: Item Rariorum Plantarum Iconibus Illustravit Ioannes Bodævs à Stapel ... Accesserunt Ivlii Cæsaris Scaligeri in Eosdem Libros Animadversiones, et Roberti Constantini Annotationes … Amstelodami: apud H. Laurentium, 1644.
The text of this book is in Greek, as it would have been written by Theophrastus (c. 372- c.287 B.C.E.) himself, with a seventeenth century Latin translation. This book is separated into nine books and contains a lengthy index. It contains woodcuts and is bound in vellum with gold gilt stamp on the spine, as well as a beautiful impression on the cover. Theophrastus was a Greek philosopher who was Aristotle’s successor as head of the Peripatetics.
“Mirbelia speciosa = Beautiful Mirbelia,” number thiry-four in Robert Sweet’s Australasica; or, A Selection of Handsome, or Curious Plants, Natives of New Holland, and the South Sea Islands (London: J. Ridgway, 1827-28). Thornton, Robert John, 1768?-1837. A Family Herbal, or, Familiar Account of the Medical Properties of British and Foreign Plants : Also Their Uses in Dying, and the Various Arts, Arranged According to the Linnaean System, and Illustrated by Two Hundred and Fifty-eight Engravings From Plants Drawn From Nature by Henderson, and Engraved by Bewick of Newcastle. London: B. and R. Crosby, 1814.
This book is bound in one-third brown leather and orange-treated cloth with leather corners. This volume is dedicated to “Her Majesty, Charlotte, Queen of England” from “Your Majesty’s most obliged devoted subject, Robert John Thornton, Member of the Royal London College of Physicians.” This volume contains two tables of contents as well as an appendix “A general posological table, for grown up persons,” a “Table of new names, in the London Pharmacopoeia” and a “table of former names.” Thornton provides the reader with a description of the plants as well as the history and the medical properties and uses. Thornton, who originally studied theology, became a well-known botanist and medical doctor of his time. A Family Herbal was one of many of his works published. (DNB v. 19, 784-786). Turner, William, d. 1568. Libellus De Re Herbaria, 1538, [and] The Names of Herbes, 1548: Facsimiles, with Introductory Matter by James Britten, B. Daydon Jackson & W. T. Stearn. London: Ray Society, 1965.
In the beginning of this book William Thomas Stearn provides an explanation of William Turner’s works Libellus and Names of Herbs, before Benjamin Daydon Jackson gives a biography of William Turner’s life. Turner’s copy of Libellus was published in “Londini Apvd Ioannem Byddellum, Anno dni 1538.” Libellus de re Herbaria Novvs is written in Latin and does not contain any illustrations. Provided in the volume are the names of plants which Turner referred to, and their contemporary names as we know them today.
The Names of Herbes is comprised of English text and does not embrace any illustrations. The format of the book consists of the name of a plant with a description following, including its native region. The Names of Herbes was printed by John Day. Included in this volume is a “Facsimile of the English Dialect Society Reprint (1882) of The Names of Herbs” titled “The names of herbes in Greke, Latin, English, Duch & Frenche with the commune names that Herbaries and Apotecaries vse. Gathered by William Turner.” This text is in English and contains the index “Turner’s English name, Turner’s Latin heading, page in reprint, scientific name” and an index of “modern scientific names.” Online Biography Created by Edo Williams & Jossie
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