Ms. codex

Title from recto of leaf [1], which is followed by a table of contents

This manuscript seems to have been transcribed from Hernández's work by Nardo Antonio Recchi, who was the royal protomedicus of the kingdom of Naples, who signed the dedication to Philip II on leaf [3] verso

Francisco Hernández, who was appointed by Philip II of Spain, as the royal protomedicus of New Spain, spent the years 1570-1577 collecting specimens, relics and viewing and describing minerals, flora, fauna and sites of ethnological interest. This work can be dated to between 1577, after Hernández had returned to Madrid and not after 1587 when the author died

Place of publication can be assumed to be the Escorial in Madrid because Hernández's reports on his travels were bound and presented to King Philip II by the author. The author's report in his hand was accompanied by illustrations. The author's presentation copy and accompanying illustrations remained in the Escorial until it was destroyed by fire in 1671

Dedication to Philip II / by Nardo Antonio Recchi: leaves [2 recto-3 verso]

"Prologomena operis": leaves [4 recto-21 verso]

"Dubia eorum, qui asserunt inartificiosum, et inutile esse tractare de plantis propronuntur; et breviter causa[e] deceptionis in plantis efficientes narrantur": leaves [22 recto-32 verso]

"Libri primi sectio prima De aromatibus": leaves [35 recto-91 verso]

"Liber secundus De materia medica Nova[e] Hispania[e]": leaves [92 recto-129 verso]

"Liber tertius De materia medica Nova[e] Hispania[e]": leaves [130 recto-171 recto]

"Liber quartus De materia medica Nova[e] Hispania[e]": leaves [171 recto-189 verso]

"De tabacis haitinorum quos mexicani vocant pocyelt": leaves [190 recto-191 recto]

"Nomina plantar[um] quor[um] obiter fit mentio in mixtione alior[um] medicamentor[um] in hoc opere contentor[um]": leaves [192 recto-236 verso]

"Index nominum medicamentorum hoc in opere contentor[um]": leaves [238 recto-241 recto]

Many of the medicial plants are given names in the Nahuatl language, and possibly other indigenous languages

John Carter Brown Library copy has a detailed provenance history, articles and correspondence related to the acquisition and history of the author and his work housed in the JCB bibliographical file

John Carter Brown Library copy bound in contemporary full calf

Provenance of the John Carter Brown Library copy: the present manuscript passed from Recchi's hands to his nephew, prince Federico Cesi, who was a member of the Accademia del Lincei at its founding in 1603, where it was used as a research tool. The present manuscript has the armorial bookplate of Cardinal Franc. Xav. Zelada on front pastedown. For a detailed provenance description of this manuscript please see JCB bibliographical file

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