Phytognomonica. Octo Libris Contienta. In quibus nova, facillimaque affertur methodus, qua plantarum, animalium, metalloru, rerum deniq; omniu ex prima extimae faciei inspectione quiuis abditas vires assequatur

Naples: Salviani, 1588. hardcover. Woodcut border round the title, portrait of Porta, numerous woodcuts, all of half- page size showing plants, heads of humans and animals. 320, + 11 page index. Slim folio, old 1/2 vellum; (water stains to some leaves); bookplate and description pasted to front fly-leaf. Neapoli: Horatium Saluianum, 1588. First Edition. Very good. Porta (1536-1615), a Neapolitan natural philosopher and mathematician was devoted to the study of the secrets of nature. "Porta had the idea that the inner qualities and the healing powers of the herbs might also be revealed by external signs, and thus led to his famous work, the `Phytognomonica'. (truncated) The illustrations of this work are of great interest as interpreting Porta's point of view. The part of man's body which is healed by a particular herb, or the animal whose bites or stings can be cured by are represented in the same woodcuts at the herb." Arber, Herbals, pp. 208-10. Pritzel 7273. Nissen 463. Durling 3734. (Inventory #: 266323)