Mythical Monsters
MYTHICAL MONSTERS Charles Gould, 1886 “Surely a profound acquaintance with the different branches of natural history should render a man credulous rather than incredulous, for there is hardly conceivable a…
Physiologus
PHYSIOLOGUS Unknown Author, Alexandria Egypt, 2nd-4th century CE An anonymous author lost to time created the first bestiary, or encyclopedia of animals. Composed of 47 chapters, the Physiologus used the…
Historiae Animalium
HISTORIAE ANIMALIUM Conrad Gesner, Published 1558 Conrad Gesner (1516-1565) Born in Zurich, linguist, naturalist, and botanist Conrad Gesner (spelled variously in different locations and publications, often Konrad Gesner or Conrad…
Physica Curiosa
PHYSICA CURIOSA Gaspar Schott, published 1662 Full title: Physica curiosa, sive, Mirabilia naturæ et artis libris XII. comprehensa : quibus pleraq[ue], quæ de angelis, dæmonibus, hominibus, spectris, energumenis, monstris, portentis,…
Naturalis Historia
Mid-12th-century manuscript from the Abbaye de Saint Vincent, Le Mans, France. Public Domain. Source NATURALIS HISTORIA Pliny the Elder, written c. 77-79 CE Gaius Plinius Secundus, aka "Pliney the Elder"…
