De Rariorum Animalium atque Stirpium Historia

A scholarly natural history from the early sixteenth century, this work gathers the most curious and little‑known animals and plants known to European scholars. Compiled in Latin for the famed botanist‑physician Conrad Gesner, it weaves occasional Greek quotations into its descriptions, and the modern edition preserves the original spellings while correcting obvious printing errors. The editor’s introduction explains the challenges of reproducing a text that originally appeared in many different formats, and even provides guidance on viewing the Unicode characters correctly.

The volume proceeds methodically, first cataloguing quadrupeds, then birds, fish, and finally flora. Each entry reads like a miniature portrait: the “Canis Getulus,” a compact British hound with a short tail and striking black face, is rendered in vivid, almost tactile detail; the fierce “Uncia” is described as a lion‑faced predator with a cat‑like tail and teeth strong enough to split wood. Though the original illustrations are missing, the text frequently refers to them, inviting listeners to imagine the exotic forms that once filled the pages.