Gerard's Herbal.

Having been inspired in the previous post by some charming fiction, we now move on to something real, and really very exciting indeed. Dating from 1597, John Gerard's Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes (thee moree e's, thee bettere) is truly a masterpiece~ perhaps not in clinical science, but certainly in beautifully demonstrating human wonder in the world around us.
Accompanied by fabulous woodcut illustrations, Gerard discusses thousands of plants encountered personally or by contemporaries, each with a gentle charisma that sets his delightful work apart four hundred years later.

"For if delight may provoke mens labor, what greater delight is there than to behold the earth apparelled with plants, as with a robe of embroidered worke, set with Orient pearles and garnished with great diversitie of rare and costly jewels? If this varietie and perfection of colours may affect the eie, it is such in herbs and floures, that no Apelles, no Zeuxis ever could by any art expresse the like: if odours or taste may worke satisfaction, they are both so soveraigne in plants, and so comfortable that no confection of the Apothecaries can equall their excellent vertue. But these delights are in the outward senses: the principal delight is in the mind..."