THE FIRST BOOK 



NATURAL HISTORY 



BY C. PLINIUS SECUNDUS. 



The Preface to Vespasian\ his [friend'] C. Plinius 

 Secundus sendeth greeting. 



HESE Books, containing the 

 History of Nature, which a 

 few days since I brought to 

 Light (a new work among 

 the Romans, your Citizens), 

 I purpose by this Epistle of 

 mine to present and conse- 

 crate unto you, most gentle 

 Prince (for this Title 2 ac- 

 cordeth fittest unto you, seeing that the Name of 

 [Most mighty 3 ] sorteth well with the Age of your 

 Father:) which haply might seem boldness and 

 presumption in me, but that I know how at other 

 Times you were wont to have some good Opinion of 

 my light Matters*. Where, by the Way, you must 

 give me Leave to soften a little the Verses which 



1 Titus. 8 Suavissimm. 3 Maxim-its. 



" Namque tu solebas, 

 Mcas esse aliquid putare nugas" 



