4to (204 x 150 mm), pp [viii] 54; a fine, crisp copy in eighteenth-century half vellum and patterned boards, with the stamp of the Bibliotheca Lancisiana on title and one text leaf. £1150
First edition of this study of 'chrysopos', or gamboge, a purgative plant extract, followed by an essay on lactating virgins. Gamboge, Garcinia hanburii, is the gum resin of Cambodian tree, and is a powerful cathartic. It was used in the treatment of apoplexy and dropsy, and also as a pigment and colouring material for varnishes. As a pigment it is bright yellow to orange in colour. It was first imported into Europe at the end of the sixteenth century.
The second part of the work (pp. 37-54) is devoted to lactating virgins, with various explanations given for the phenomenon.
Castelli (1570-1657) was professor of botany at the University of Rome, and the founder of Messina's botanical garden.
Krivatsy 2235; Waring p 446; NUC: NIC DNLM MH; OCLC records a copy in Wellcome (not in the Wellcome catalogue)
GBP 1150.00
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