The Tractatus de naturis animalium by Engelbert of Admont, an encyclopedia, is on folio 29r-47r. Four animals are illustrated with simple pen drawings (all on folio 32v, possibly added later); the rest of the spaces left for illustrations were not filled. This manuscript is said to be one of the oldest witnesses and presents the best textual quality (Schmitz, page 178).

The Tractus is sections:

1. Prologue [folio 29r]
2. Of human nature, monstrous human races [folio 29r-31v]
3. Nature of animals [folio 31v]
4. Animals that walk on land [folio 32r-38v]
5. Serpents [folio 38v-40r]
6. Worms [folio 40r-40v]
7. Fish [folio 40v-42v]
8. Birds [folio 43r-46v/li>
9. Small flying animals [folio 46v-47r]

There are some animals in the land animal section out of place given the above structure. The hydrus (folio 37v) should be in the serpent section; the sea-pig (folio 37v) should be in the fish section; the spider, cricket and ant (all folio 37v) and the ant-lion (folio 38r) should be in the worm section. The spider and sea-pig are repeated in their correct sections (folio 40r and 41r).

The Tractus is followed on folio 47v by a poem on animals, bird and trees (Versus de volucribus, feris et arboribus. This poem is also found in at least three other manuscripts.

The manuscript also contains several unrelated theological texts.

Additional Descriptions

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Editions and Facsimiles

Digital facsimiles

Manuscripta Austria