Gaius Plinius Secundus (23 - 79AD), better known as Pliny the Elder, studied botany and philosophy in Rome before serving in the military. He was later Porcurator in Gallia, whilst continuing to accumulate knowledge on everything from grammar to the history of the German wars. He created the first known encyclopedia.

• IntroductionFurther ReadingTranslator's NoteNatural HistoryPrefaceThe Universe and the WorldBook II. AstronomyBook III. Spain and ItalyBook IV. Europe and BritainBook V. The Continents of Africa and AsiaBook VI. The Black Sea, India, and the Far EastZoologyBook VII. ManBook VIII. Land AnimalsBook IX. Creatures of the SeaBook X. BirdsBook XI. InsectsBotanyBooks XII-XIII. TreesBook XIV. Vines and ViticultureBook XV. The Olive and Other Fruit-TreesBook XVI. Forest TreesBook XVIII. AgricultureMateria MedicaBook XX. Drugs Obtained from Garden PlantsBooks XI-XXII. Flowers and HerbsBook XXIII. The Vine and the WalnutBook XXIV. Drugs Obtained from Foreign TreesBook XXV. The Nature of Wild PlantsBook XXVI. Diseases and Their RemediesBook XXVII. More Plants Used in MedicineBook XXVIII. Drugs Obtained from Man; Magic and SuperstitionBook XXIX. Medicine, Doctors and Medical PracticeBook XXX. MagicBook XXXI. WaterBook XXXII. Fish and Aquatic CreaturesMining and MineralsBook XXXIII. Gold and SilverBook XXXIV. Copper and Bronze Sculpture, Tin, Lead and IronBook XXXV. Painting, Sculpture and ArchitectureBook XXXVI. Stones, Minerals and MonumentsBook XXXVII. Precious StonesKey to Place-NamesIndex

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