LINNZUS AND NATURAL HISTORY II3 
observations upon their habits. His great work on natural 
history (Historia Animalium) began to appear in 1551, when 
he was thirty-five years of age, and four of the five volumes 
were published by 1556. The fifth volume was not pub- 
lished until 1587, twenty-two years after his death. The 
complete work consists of about “ 4,500 folio pages,” profusely 
illustrated with good figures. The edition which the writer 
has before him—that of 1585-1604—embraces 3,200 pages 
of text and 953 figures. 
Brooks says: ‘‘One of Gesner’s greatest services to nat- 
ural science is the introduction of good illustrations, which he 
gives his reader by hundreds.” He was so exacting about 
the quality of his illustrations that his critical supervision of 
the work of artists and engravers had its influence upon con- 
temporary art. Some of the best woodcuts of the period are 
found in his work. His friend Albrecht Diirer supplied one 
of the originals—the drawing of the rhinoceros—-and it is 
interesting to note that it is by no means the best, a circum- 
stance which indicates how effectively Gesner held his en- 
graver and draughtsman up to fine work. He was also care- 
ful to mold his writing into graceful form, and this, combined 
with the illustrations, ‘‘ made science attractive without sac- 
rificing its dignity, and thus became a great educational 
influence.” 
In preparing his work he sifted the writings of about two 
hundred and fifty authors, and while his book is largely a 
compilation, it is enriched with many observations of his own. 
His descriptions are verbose, but discriminating in separating 
facts and observations from fables and speculations. He 
could not entirely escape from old traditions. There are re- 
tained in his book pictures of the sea-serpent, the mermaids, 
and a few other fanciful and grotesque sketches, but for the 
most part the drawings are made from the natural objects. 
The descriptions are in several parts of his work alphabeti- 
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