First edition of a very popular Latin presentation of the secrets of nature, considering physiological, physical, medical, religious and moral topics, by Levinus Lemnius (1505-1568), attempting to explain extraordinary natural phenomena. "Bits of medical and natural lore are thrown together hit-or-miss" in this work, but it was not without importance "since it was often cited by subsequent learned authors, and since the numerous editions and translation of it show that is was well suited to the taste of the time" (Thorndike). Lemnius clearly intended both to educate and to entertain the reader. Despite his interest in the occult and his astrological beliefs in the influence of the stars and the moon on people, Lemnius always remains pragmatic. Examples are the effects of human saliva, whether it is better to sleep with ones mouth open or closed, whether people should drink white wine before red, the use of vinegar in times of plague, the quarrelsome effect of Poitou-wines and the amorous effect of Rhine-wines, and why not to sleep in the moons rays when you are drunk.
With some contemporary(?) manuscript annotations on the first endleaf, which is half cut off. Head and foot of the spine and corners damaged, hinges weak, endleaves damaged, faint marginal water stains in the first quarter of the book (not affecting the text), some wormholes (hardly affecting the text), last leaf half loose, with a large stain affecting the text on 184v. Otherwise in good condition. Anet 821036; Belg. typog. 1848; Coumont L51b.1; Durling 2770; Thorndike VI, pp. 393-394; USTC 401037; cf. STCV 12917184 (1567 ed.).