CHAP. 1. (1.)—RESEARCHES OF THE ANCIENTS UPON THIS
SUBJECT.
THE further I proceed in this work, the more I am impressed
with admiration of the ancients; and the greater the number
of plants that remain to be described, the more I am induced
to venerate the zeal displayed by the men of former times in
their researches, and the kindly spirit manifested by them in
transmitting to us the results thereof. Indeed their bounteousness in this respect would almost seem to have surpassed the
munificent disposition even of Nature herself, if our knowledge
of plants had depended solely upon man's spirit of discovery:
but as it is, it is evident beyond all doubt that this knowledge
has emanated from the gods themselves, or, at all events, has
been the result of divine inspiration, even in those cases where
man has been instrumental in communicating it to us. In
other words, if we must confess the truth—a marvel surpassed
by nothing in our daily experience—Nature herself, that
common parent of all things, has at once produced them, and
has discovered to us their properties.
Wondrous indeed is it, that a Scythian
1 plant should be
brought from the shores of the Palus Mæotis, and the euphorbia
2 from Mount Atlas and the regions beyond the Pillars of
Hercules, localities where the operations of Nature have reached
their utmost limit! That in another direction, the plant
britannica
3 should be conveyed to us from isles of the
Ocean situate beyond the confines of the earth!
4 That the
æthiopis
5 should reach us from a climate scorched by the
luminaries of heaven! And then, in addition to all this, that
there should be a perpetual interchange going on between all
parts of the earth, of productions so instrumental to the welfare
of mankind! Results, all of them, ensured to us by the peace
that reigns under the majestic sway of the Roman power, a
peace which brings in presence of each other, not individuals
only, belonging to lands and nations far separate, but mountains even, and heights towering above the clouds, their plants
and their various productions! That this great bounteousness
of the gods may know no end, is my prayer, a bounteousness
which seems to have granted the Roman sway as a second
luminary for the benefit of mankind.