Theophrasti Eresii. Libri de Historia et de Cvsis Plantarivm. Cum Libellis Plerisqve Physicis. Ex Interpretatione Theod. Gazaem Adriani Tvrnebi, Simonis Portii et Dan. Fvralani, Emendata et Graecis Verbis, vti nvnc Edita Legvntvr, Accomodata.
Lipssiae (Leipzig): F.C.G. Vogel (Svmtibvs Frid. Christ. Gvil. Vogelii), 1821. Softcover. 8vo. 476pp. Blue wrappers. Front wrapper and spine missing. Binding still intact. Page edges untrimmed. Minor browning and sporadic foxing to pages, not affecting text. Contains Theophrasto's classic "de causis plantarum" [the reasons of the plants] and "de historia plantarum" [the history of the plant]. These two works are often regarded as the earliest work of scientific botany, originating in Ancient Greece. The most important of his books are two large botanical treatises, On the History of Plants, in nine books (originally ten), and On the Causes of Plants, in six books (originally eight), which constitute the most important contribution to botanical science during antiquity and the middle ages; on the strength of these works some call him the "father of Taxonomy".Translated from Greek into Latin, based on Theodore Gazaem. In Latin. In fair condition.
On the author (fropm the Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed. (1911), V26, Page 787 ):
Theophrastus (372—287 BCE), a native of Eressos in Lesbos, was the successor of Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. His given name was Tyrtamus, but he later became known by the nickname "Theophrastus", given to him, it is said, by Aristotle to indicate the grace of his conversation. He released the first recorded message in a bottle in order to show that the Mediterranean Sea was formed by the inflowing Atlantic Ocean.
After receiving his first introduction to philosophy in Lesbos from one Leucippus or Alcippus, he proceeded to Athens, and became a member of the Platonic circle. After Plato's death he attached himself to Aristotle, and in all probability accompanied him to Stagira. The intimate friendship of Theophrastus with Callisthenes, the fellow-pupil of Alexander the Great, the mention made in his will of an estate belonging to him at Stagira, and the repeated notices of the town and its museum in the History of Plants, are facts which point to this conclusion.
Aristotle in his will made him guardian of his children, bequeathed to him his library and the originals of his works, and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum on his own removal to Chalcis. Eudemus of Rhodes also had some claims to this position, and Aristoxenus is said to have resented Aristotle's choice.
Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-five years, and died in 287 BC. Under his guidance the school flourished greatly — there were at one period more than 2000 students — and at his death he bequeathed to it his garden with house and colonnades as a permanent seat of instruction. From the lists of the ancients it appears that the activity of Theophrastus extended over the whole field of contemporary knowledge. His writing probably differed little from the Aristotelian treatment of the same themes, though supplementary in details. He served his age mainly as a great popularizer of science. Various smaller scientific fragments have been collected in the editions of JG Schneider (1818–21) - the copy at hand- and others. fair. Item #14899
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