MatTTHIOLI’s ASTER FIGURES 385 
Matthioli’s figures of Asters were two, one representing Aster 
Amellus, and later, an additional one of Padlenis spinosa ; besides 
that of his Ste//aria or Alchemilla, introduced into the Aster chap- 
ter for comparison, both in the Latin and the Italian editions. 
His Aster Amellus figure represents a slightly different type 
from that of Fuchs, destitute of the cauline rosette of leaves borne 
by Fuchs’ plant, and having the leaves more numerous and more 
often spatulate. Its earlier form about 414 by 2% inches, showed 
about 11 heads, chiefly with 17 rays, and a root-cluster of very 
many long fibers, giving rise to about 7 erect stems, the largest 
bearing 18 or 20 ascending leaves. After issuing the Aster chap- 
ter with this one figure of Aster and one of Alchemilla, 1554-1560, 
in 1563 or probably in 1562 (see page 381), he changed the fig- 
ures to three, substituting an entirely new though similar figure 
for his Aster Atticus, adding a figure of Padlenis spinosa Cassini 
for his Aster Atticus alter (see page 373), and for the third figure 
retaining that of Alchemilla. The new figure of Aster Amellus 
is labelled “ Aster Atticus sive Amellus,’ and fills nearly the whole 
folio page, bearing as Vergil said a forest of stalks, 15 or 20 be- 
ing represented from a tufted tangle of fibers, similar to those 
Previously figured by him but much more extensive. The rays 
are still chiefly 17, the heads are about 5g inch broad. 
Matthioli as a controversialist had not only made himself un- 
pleasantly conspicuous in his Italian edition of 1568 (as indicated by 
quotations on Aster, pp. 383-4, in which he had turned common 
scold), but had first begun to dip his pen in gall some ten years 
before, especially against Amatus and against Gesner in 1558. 
His edition of 1565 shows him a very spitfire in disposition, de- 
Brey Se bl Oise ka vied tone eee 
inclining to be dark, and bitterish ; those on the branches are much smaller. Its root 
'S divided into many parts, of,a not unpleasant odor, an odor like that of a Garofano, a 
clove-gilliflower [clove-pink]. It flowers at the beginning of autumn or at the end of 
Summer, and after flowering it becomes woolly, making its seed just like that of an 
Endive. 
“ Dioscorides, from Cratevas Herbarius, says, ‘pestle it green with hog’s-grease, 
against the bite of a mad dog, and equally for tumors of the goitre. When its fumes 
“rise they drive away serpents.’ 
“ Astere Attico scritte da Galeno. Galen says...[translation of Galen follows] : 
“Stellaria,”’ etc. Others find the Stella di Athene recall to mind the common 
Stellaria, which some call Piede de Leone, and others Alchimidilla. [The remainder 
'S the same as in the Latin editions, summarized p. 382. ] 
