32 MEMOIR OF 



acquainted with its most recondite mythology. In 

 this lack of circumstantial information, we turn in 

 vaia to his several biographies, which, although they 

 speak generally of his travelling, yet do not supply 

 a single particular as to the scenes and countries 

 which he visited. Miraeus, indeed, associates his 

 devotedness to travel with his medical pursuits, 

 and in this connection there was probably some 

 truth. " Attaching himself to that department of 

 Physic which describes the articles procured from 

 animals, in order that he might transmit to pos 

 terity the figures, characters, and dispositions of 

 these animals, not content with the examination 

 of the accounts of others, he travelled himself into 

 the most distant countries that he might subject 

 them to personal observation."* Bullart's account 

 is somewhat more florid. " Aldrovandi endea- 

 voured to render his name famous, by exhibiting 

 in his learned writings all the wonders which are 

 represented on the theatre of the world. Animated 

 by this generous motive, he took long voyages to 

 observe the form, dispositions, and qualities of the 

 animals and plants of every country. He likewise 

 penetrated into the interior of the earth to discover 

 the virtues of minerals; he carried his regards 

 into the regions of the atmosphere, to watch the 

 tribes which frequent it; he descended into the 

 ocean and into rivers, in pursuit of their inhabitants ; 

 and, finally, re-ascended into the skies to examine 



* Loc. cit. 



