Herbals, Their Origin and Evolution: A Chapter in the History of Botany 1470-1670

Book 241

Chapter 11,492 wordsPublic domain

INDEX 247

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FRONTISPIECE

Leonhard Fuchs (1501-1566) [Engraving by Speckle in _De historia stirpium_, 1542]

PLATES

PLATE _Face page_

I. “Sonchos” [Dioscorides. Codex Aniciæ Julianæ. circa A.D. 500]. _Reduced_ 4

II. “Stratiotes” [Dioscorides. Codex Aniciæ Julianæ. circa A.D. 500]. _Reduced_ 8

III. Wood-cut of Plants [Konrad von Megenberg. Das půch der natur. 1475]. _Reduced_ 10

IV. “Orbicularis” [Herbarium Apuleii Platonici. ? 1484]. (_The tint represents colouring, which was probably contemporary_) 12

V. “Mandragora” = Mandrake [Herbarium Apuleii Platonici. ? 1484]. (_The tint represents colouring, which was probably contemporary_) 34

VI. Joachim Camerarius, the younger (1534-1598) [Engraving by Bartholomæus Kilian. Probably between 1650 and 1700. Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum] 68

VII. Charles de l’Écluse (1526-1609) [Print in the Botany School, Cambridge] 74

VIII. Mathias de l’Obel (1538-1616) [Engraving by François Dellarame. 1615. Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum] 78

IX. Fabio Colonna (1567-1650) [Ekphrasis. 1606] 88

X. Konrad Gesner (1516-1565) [Print in the Botany School, Cambridge] 92

XI. Gaspard Bauhin (1560-1624) [Theatrum Anatomicum. 1605] 94

XII. John Gerard (1545-1607) [The Herball. 1636] 108

XIII. John Parkinson (1567-1650) [Theatrum botanicum. 1640] 114

XIV. Andrea Cesalpino (1519-1603) [Drawn by G. Zocchi and engraved by F. Allegrini, 1765, after an old portrait in the Museum of the Botanic Garden at Pisa. Print in the Botany School, Cambridge] 116

XV. “Phasiolos” = Bean [Dioscorides. Codex Aniciæ Julianæ. circa A.D. 500]. _Reduced_ 154

XVI. “Dracontea” [Herbarium Apuleii Platonici. ? 1484]. (_The tint represents colouring, which was probably contemporary_) 156

XVII. Study of _Aquilegia vulgaris_ L., Columbine [Albrecht Dürer, 1526. Drawing in the Albertina, Vienna]. _Reduced_ 168

XVIII. Study of _Ornithogalum umbellatum_ L., Star of Bethlehem, and other plants [Leonardo da Vinci. 1452-1519. Drawing in the Royal Library, Windsor]. _Reduced_ 170

XIX. “Crocus Byzantinus” and “Crocus Montanus hispan.” [Part of a plate from Crispian de Passe. Hortus Floridus. 1614] 202

XX. “Cervaria fœmina” [Thurneisser. Historia sive Descriptio Plantarum. 1587] 216

XXI. Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) [A Physicall Directory. 1649. Engraving by Cross] 218

FIGURES IN THE TEXT[1]

[The initial letters, which will be found at the beginning of each chapter, are taken from Pierre Belon’s ‘Les Observations de plusieurs singularitez et choses mémorables, trouvées en Grece, Asie, Judée, Egypte, Arabie, et autres pays estranges, ... Imprimé à Paris par Benoist Prévost.’ 1553.]

TEXT-FIG. PAGE

1. “Plantago” = Plantain [Herbarium Apuleii Platonici, ? 1484] 12

2. “Artemisia” [Herbarium Apuleii Platonici, ? 1484] 13

3. “Lilium” [Herbarius Moguntinus, 1484] 14

4. “Aristolochia longa” [Herbarius Moguntinus, 1484] 15

5. “Serpentaria” [Herbarius Moguntinus, 1484] 16

6. “Brionia” [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 17

7. “Acorus” = Iris [Herbarius zu Teutsch, Mainz, 1485] 23

8. “Leopardus” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 25

9. “Daucus” = Carrot [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 26

10. “Passer” = Sparrow [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 27

11. “Pavo” = Peacock [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 27

12. “Arbor vel lignum vite paradisi” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 28

13. “Narcissus” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 29

14. “Bauser vel Bausor” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 30

15. “Panis” = Bread [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 31

16. “Ambra” = Amber [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 32

17. “Unicornus” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 33

18. A Herbalist’s Garden [Le Jardin de Santé, ? 1539] 34

19. Wood-cut of Plants [Bartholomæus Anglicus, Liber de proprietatibus rerum, Wynkyn de Worde, ? 1495]. _Reduced_ 37

20. “Yvery” = Ivory [The Grete Herball, 1529] 42

21. “Nenufar” = Waterlily [The Grete Herball, 1529] 44

22. “Walwurtz männlin” = _Symphytum_, Comfrey [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. I. 1530]. _Reduced_ 48

23. “Helleborus Niger” = _Helleborus viridis_ L., Green Hellebore [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. I. 1530]. _Reduced_ 49

24. “Synnaw” = _Alchemilla_, Ladies’ Mantle [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. ii. 1531]. _Reduced_ 51

25. “Caryophyllata” = _Geum_, Avens [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. iii. 1540]. _Reduced_ 52

26. Hieronymus Bock or Tragus (1498-1554) [Kreuter Bůch, 1551] 53

27. “Erdberen” = _Fragaria_, Strawberry [Bock, Kreuter Bůch, 1546] 54

28. “Pimpernuss” = _Pistacia_, Pistachio-nut [Bock, Kreuter Bůch, 1546] 56

29. “Tribulus aquaticus” = _Trapa natans_ L., Bull-nut [Bock, De stirpium, 1552] 57

30. “Brassicæ quartum genus” = Cabbage [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 59

31. “Polygonatum latifolium” = Solomon’s Seal [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 61

32. “Cucumis turcicus” = _Cucurbita maxima_ Duch., Giant Pumpkin [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 63

33. “Erdöpffel” = _Ranunculus ficaria_ L., Lesser Celandine [Rhodion, Kreutterbůch, 1533] 65

34. “Ocimoides fruticosum” = _Silene fruticosa_ L. [Camerarius, Hortus medicus, 1588] 67

35. “Palma” = Seedlings of _Phœnix dactylifera_ L., Date Palm [Camerarius, Hortus medicus, 1588] 69

36. Rembert Dodoens (1517-1585) [A Niewe Herball. Translated by Lyte, 1578] 71

37. “Capparis” = _Capparis ovata_ L. [Dodoens, Pemptades, 1583] 73

38. “Anemone trifolia” [Dodoens, Pemptades, 1583] 75

39. “Lacryma Iob” = _Coix lachryma-Jobi_ L., Job’s Tears [de l’Écluse, Rariorum ... per Hispanias, 1576] 77

40. Pierandrea Mattioli (1501-1577) [Engraving by Philippe Galle, Virorum Doctorum Effigies, Antwerp, 1572] 80

41. “Pyra” = _Pyrus communis_ L., Pear [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1560] 81

42. “Avena” = Oats [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1560] 82

43. “Trifolium acetosum” = _Oxalis_ [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1565]. _Reduced_ 83

44. “Malus” = _Pyrus malus_ L., Apple [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1565]. _Reduced_ 84

45. “Arbor Malenconico” or “Arbor tristis” = Tree of Sorrow [Durante, Herbario Nuovo, 1585] 86

46. “Apocynum” [Colonna, Phytobasanos, 1592] 87

47. “Kalli” = _Salicornia_, Glasswort [Prospero Alpino, De plantis Ægypti, 1592] 89

48. “Lachryma Iob” = _Coix lachryma-Jobi_ L., Job’s Tears [Simler, Vita Conradi Gesneri, 1566] 91

49. “Solanum tuberosum esculentum” = Potato [Bauhin, Prodromos, 1620] 95

50. Jacques d’Aléchamps (1513-1588) [Wood-cut, circa 1600, Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum]. _Enlarged_ 97

51. “Ornithogalum magnum” [d’Aléchamps, Historia generalis plantarum, 1586] 99

52. “Tabaco” = _Nicotiana_, Tobacco [Monardes, Joyfull newes out of the newe founde worlde, 1580] 105

53. “Reubarbe” = _Centaurea rhaponticum_ L. [Lyte, A Niewe Herball, 1578] 107

54. “The breede of Barnakles” [Gerard, The Herball, 1597] 111

55. “Barberry” = _Berberis_ [Part of a large wood-cut from Parkinson, Paradisus Terrestris, 1629] 114

56. “Cardamomum” = (?) _Solanum dulcamara_ L., Bittersweet [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 121

57. “Pionia” = Peony [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 123

58. “Petasites” = Butterbur [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 126

59. “Sedum majus” [de l’Écluse, Rariorum per Hispanias, 1576] 128

60. “Battata Virginiana” = _Solanum tuberosum_ L., Potato [Gerard, The Herball, 1597] 129

61. “Rose Ribwoorte” = an abnormal Plantain [Gerard, The Herball, 1597] 131

62. “Beta Cretica semine aculeato” [Bauhin, Prodromos, 1620] 132

63. “Carui” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 135

64. “Buglossa” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 137

65. “Nenufar” = Waterlily [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 139

66. “Nenuphar” = _Nymphæa alba_ L., White Waterlily [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. I. 1530]. _Reduced_ 141

67. “Gele Plompen” = _Nuphar luteum_ Sm., Yellow Waterlily [de l’Obel, Kruydtbœck, 1581] 142

68. “Ninfea” = Waterlily [Durante, Herbario Nuovo, 1585] 144

69. “Tussilago” = _Tussilago farfara_ L., Coltsfoot [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 147

70. “Plantago major” = Plantain [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 149

71. “Althæa Thuringica” = _Lavatera thuringiaca_ L. [Camerarius, Hortus medicus, 1588] 150

72. “Pulsatilla” = _Anemone pulsatilla_ L., Pasque-flower [Camerarius, De plantis Epitome Matthioli, 1586] 152

73. “Brionia” [Herbarius Moguntinus, 1484] 158

74. “Ireos vel Iris” [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 159

75. “Capillus Veneris” = Maidenhair Fern [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 160

76. “Cuscuta” = Dodder [Arnaldus de Villa Nova, Tractatus de virtutibus herbarum, 1499] 161

77. “Cuscuta” = Dodder [Herbarius zu Teutsch, Mainz, 1485] 163

78. “Alkekengi” = _Physalis_, Winter Cherry [Herbarius zu Teutsch, Mainz, 1485] 164

79. “Alkekengi” = _Physalis_, Winter Cherry [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 165

80. “Cuscuta” = Dodder [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 166

81. “Botris” [Ortus Sanitatis, Mainz, 1491] 167

82. “Asarum” = Asarabacca [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. I. 1530]. _Reduced_ 169

83. “Kuchenschell” = _Anemone pulsatilla_ L., Pasque-flower [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. I. 1530]. Reduced 171

84. “Lappa” = _Arctium_, Burdock [Brunfels, Herbarum vivæ eicones, Vol. II. 1531]. _Reduced_ 173

85. “Scolopendria” = Hart’s-tongue Fern [Rhodion, Kreutterbůch, 1533] 174

86. “Dipsacus albus” = Teasle [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 176

87. “Apios” = _Lathyrus tuberosus_ L., Earth-nut Pea [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 178

88. “Arum” = _Arum maculatum_ L., Wild Arum [Fuchs, De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 179

89. The Draughtsmen and Engraver employed by Leonhard Fuchs [De historia stirpium, 1542]. _Reduced_ 181

90. “Wintergrün” = _Pyrola_, Wintergreen [Bock, Kreuter Bůch, 1546] 182

91. “Rautten” = _Botrychium_, Moonwort [Bock, Kreuter Bůch, 1546] 183

92. “Castanum nuss” = _Castanea_, Chestnut [Bock, Kreuter Bůch, 1546] 184

93. “Fungi” = Toadstools [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1560]. _Reduced_ 185

94. “Rosaceum” [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1560]. _Reduced_ 186

95. “Suber primus” [Mattioli, Commentarii, 1565]. _Reduced_ 187

96. “Tragorchis” = _Orchis hircina_ L., Lizard Orchis [Dodoens, Pemptades, 1583] 188

97. “Aconitum luteum minus” = _Eranthis hiemalis_ L., Winter Aconite [Dodoens, Pemptades, 1583] 189

98. “Draco arbor” = _Dracæna_, Dragon Tree [de l’Écluse, Rariorum ... per Hispanias, 1576] 191

99. “Cyclaminus” [Camerarius, De plantis Epitome ... Matthioli, 1586] 192

100. “Rosa Hierichuntica” = _Anastatica hierochuntica_ L., Rose of Jericho [Camerarius, Hortus medicus, 1588] 193

101. “Piper Nigrum” = Pepper [d’Aléchamps, Historia generalis plantarum, Vol. II. 1587] 194

102. “Cedrus” = Cedar [Belon, De arboribus, 1553] 195

103. “Lentisco del Peru” = _Pistacia lentiscus_ L., Mastic Tree [Durante, Herbario Nuovo, 1585] 197

104. “Mala Aurantia Chinensia” = Orange [Aldrovandi, Dendrologia, 1667]. _Reduced_ 198

105. “Chondrilla” [Colonna, Phytobasanos, 1592] 201

106. “Alkekengi” = _Physalis_, Winter Cherry [Blankaart, Neder-landschen Herbarius, 1698] 203

107. The Male Mandrake [Brunfels, Contrafayt Kreüterbuch, Ander Teyl, 1537] 205

108. Theophrastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus (1493-1541) [From a medal, now in the British Museum. See F. W. Weber, Appendix II] 206

109. Herbs of the Scorpion [Porta, Phytognomonica, 1591] 209

110. Lunar Herbs [Porta, Phytognomonica, 1591] 213

111. Astrological Diagram relating to the gathering of “Cervaria fœmina” [Thurneisser, Historia sive Descriptio Plantarum, 1587] 217

112. Wood-cut from the Title-page of the Grete Herball, 1526. _Reduced_ 223

113. A Herbalist’s Garden and Store-room [Das Kreüterbůch oder Herbarius. Printed by Heinrich Stayner, Augsburg, 1534] 225