FOREWORD 



The present pamphlet is pubhshed to make known the discovery 

 of the Badianus Manuscript in the Vatican Library and to give an 

 idea of the vahie and interest of this unique Aztec herbal It is beheved 

 to be the earhest herbal produced on this side of the Atlantic, and from 

 this consideration alone it deserves all the notice that it v^ill un- 

 doubtedly receive. It is a matter of regret to the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution that funds are not available to publish a facsimile of the full 

 manuscript with its 91 color sketches of plants. Such a publication, 

 in the usual edition issued by the Institution and with 91 color plates, 

 would involve a considerable sum. but the text with black and white 

 illustrations and a few color plates could be published for a com- 

 paratively moderate amount. If there are those who would be suf- 

 ficiently interested to contribute toward the publication of this valuable 

 manuscript as a whole or in such modified form, I should be glad to 

 have them communicate with the Institution. 



C. G. Abbot, 

 Secretary, Sniithsonian Institution. 



