Medieval Bestiary : Encyclopedia : Vincent de Beauvais

Vincent de Beauvais

Biography

Little is known of the life of Vincent de Beauvais. It is thought that he was born sometime between 1184 and 1194 and died around 1264, though both dates are uncertain. In his writing he calls himself brother Vincentius Belvacensis, of the Dominican order (Ordo Predicatorum). Around 1254 Vincent began his association with King Louis IX of France, who funded a copy of the Speculum historiale. By the end of 1246 Vincent was at the Cistercian monastery of Royaumont in the Val-d'Oise in northern France, where he says he was a lector in theology. Vincent continued writing theological works from 1240-1260, at least part of that time at Royaumont, but by 1260 he was no longer there. Nothing is known of Vincent's life after 1260.

Writing

The Speculum Mais

The Speculum Mais (Great Mirror) is an encyclopedic compendium of the knowledge of the time. Vincent himself stated that he chose "Speculum" for its name because his work contains "whatever is worthy of contemplation (speculatio), that is, admiration or imitation". It is a massive work of over 2000 (printed) pages, in three volumes:

The Speculum naturale, on various aspects of nature, including books cosmology and astronomy; geography; birds, fish and aquatic animals, domestic and wild animals, and reptiles, serpents and "worms" (insects); properties of humans.
The Speculum doctrinale, a continuation of the Speculum naturale, on science and study; languages; ethics, economics, politics and law; the crafts; medicine; philosophy, metaphysics and mathematics; theology.
The Speculum historiale, a chronological history from the fall of man to Vincent's time.

A fourth volume, the Speculum morale, was planned but not completed by Vincent. Later authors finished it, possibly using some of the materials Vincent had accumulated. It is not usually considered to be part of the Speculum Mais.

The Speculum naturale

The Speculum naturale, the first volume of the Speculum Mais, is an encyclopedia of "natural history", encompassing all areas of contemporary knowledge of the world and its constituents (see Books below for a list of the contents). There are 32 books, each with 60 to 170 short chapters. Many of the books describe multiple topics that may or may not be directly related to the main theme of the book, and text on the same topic may appear in more than one book.

The range of topics covered is typical for a medieval encyclopedia. Starting with the creation of the world, the text covers cosmology and astronomy, meteorology, geology, botany and zoology, before concluding with several books on the nature of humanity and a final book on history.

Books

The topics covered in each book are generally related. The order of the books loosely follows the six days of creation as told in the biblical book of Genesis.

Book I: The creation of the heavens, the world, and the angels [86 chapters]
Book II The elements; light and color; demons [131 chapters]
Book III: Cosmology; time and the movement of the stars [105 chapters]
Book IV: Fire; sound; the air and winds; meteorology; odors and senses [114 chapters]
Book V: The third day of creation; water and oceans, rivers and lakes; the sense of taste [95 chapters].
Book VI: The flood; properties of the Earth (its form, mountains, earthquakes); agriculture; fire [92 chapters]
Book VII: The properties of minerals (metals in general, gold, copper, lead, iron); alchemy [106 chapters]
Book VIII: The properties of various substances, stones and gems [108 chapters]
Book IX: Plants in general; wild herbs [156 chapters]
Book X: Agriculture and gardens; cultivated herbs and other plants [171 chapters]
Book XI: Agriculture and plants that are farmed; grains used for food [134 chapters]
Book XII: Wild and cultivated trees [112 chapters]
Book XIII: Trees that bear fruit and nuts; vineyards; aromatic trees [115 chapters]
Book XIV: Plants, trees and herbs used for food [140 chapters]
Book XV: Astronomy and astrology; the moon, sun and planets; the four seasons; the calendar [100 chapters]
Book XVI: The nature of birds [171 chapters]
Book XVII: The nature of fish [146 chapters]
Book XVIII: Domestic animals and beasts of burden [98 chapters]
Book XIX: Beasts and wild animals [139 chapters]
Book XX: Reptiles, serpents and insects [174 chapters]
Book XXI: Analysis of animal nature: body parts, movement, reproduction, and bodily fluids [156 chapters]
Book XXII: Analysis of animal nature: food, senses, sleep, sex and reproduction, milk [68 chapters]
Book XXIII: The creation of man, focusing on the human mind and soul [81 chapters]
Book XXIV: More on the soul; on life and its meaning and properties; vegetative vs. animal life [88 chapters]
Book XXV: The human senses; thought, intelligence and memory [104 chapters]
Book XXVI: The nature of sleep; dreams; visions and prophecy [111 chapters]
Book XXVII: The nature of the mind; memory; reason and the intellect; emotions; the will [103 chapters]
Book XVIII: The parts of the human body [116 chapters]
Book XXIX: Properties of God; good and evil; judgement, punishment and salvation [170 chapters]
Book XXX: Commentary on humanity; men and women; marriage [95 chapters]
Book XXXI: Sex; pregnancy and childbearing; human ages; health and illness; monstrous humans [132 chapters]
Book XXXII: Geography and nations of the world; chronicles and history [106 chapters]

Sources

Vincent used the works of many authors to produce the Speculum naturale. In most cases he identifies the author he is quoting, and his usually accurate quotes show that he had access to the works. He also carefully distinguishes between text he is quoting and his own work. The Speculum naturale can be seen as mostly a compilation of earlier work rather than as an original work in itself.

The range of authorities quoted by Vincent is very large, but the most common are Aristotle, Pliny the Elder, Isidore of Seville and Thomas of Cantimpré, with less frequent references to the Physiologus, Avicenna, Gaius Julius Solinus, Saint Ambrose, and many others.

For a comprehensive analysis of the Vincent's sources see Isabelle Draelants and the SourcEncycMe Team, Vincentius Belvacensis - Speculum naturale, version SM trifaria.

Manuscripts and Editions

There are at least 34 known complete or partial manuscript copies of the Speculum naturale, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. None are illustrated. See the Manuscripts tab above for a partial list, the ARLIMA website for a more complete list, and the Vincent of Beauvais website for an annotated list.

The primary edition of the text is Vincent de Beauvais, Speculum naturale, printed in 1624 and republished in 1964 in a facsimile of the original. Oddly, there is no complete modern edition of the text, though there are several partial editions and transcriptions. There is also no complete translation from Latin to any modern language. At over 1200 printed pages, producing a full edition or translation would be a daunting task. See the Bibliography for more editions and partial editions.

Animal Books and Chapters

Four books of the Speculum naturale are on animals:

Book 16 is on birds and flying animals
Book 17 is on fish and marine or aquatic animals
Book 18 is on domestic animals and beasts of burden
Book 19 is on beasts and other wild animals
Book 20 is on reptiles, serpents and worms (insects)

Many animals appear more than once under different names or in more than one book, and some chapters describe two or more animals. The chapters are mostly in alphabetical order by the Latin animal name, though there are exceptions. Many chapters describing the animal itself are followed by subchapters relating to aspects of the animal, such as its use for food or medicine.

The lists below are primarily derived from two sources, with additions from others:

The 1694 Latin edition Vincent de Beauvais, Speculum naturale (volume 1 of the Speculum mais)
The web site Isabelle Draelants and the SourcEncycMe Team, Vincentius Belvacensis - Speculum naturale, version SM trifaria

The lists are styled to clarify the structure of the chapters, with the following conventions:

Chapters on general attributes of animals, but not on a particular animal, are shown in a green color.
For the main chapter on an animal (usually its first appearance), the animals names are shown with highlighted text, and the names as used on this website are a link to the Beasts page for the animal.
For subchapters giving further information on the animal, the names are not highlighted but the title text is indented.
The numbers in brackets (e.g. [9]) after some Latin names are links to notes on the animal.

De opera quinte diei id est de formatione volatilium et natatilium (On the work of the fifth day, that is, on the formation of flying and swimming birds)
De natura avium in generali (On the nature of birds in general)
De differentia avium multiplici (On the many differences birds)
De eodem (On the same)
De mutatione in colore et plumis et voce et loco et tempore (On the change in color and feathers and voice and place and time)
De avibus rapacibus (On birds of prey)
De rostris avium (On the beaks of birds)
De alis et plumis (On the wings and feathers)
De pedibus avium et cruribus (On the feet and legs of birds)
De unguibus (On the claws)
De carnibus earum (On their flesh)
De incessu et volatu avium (On the gait and flight of birds)
De peregrinatione ac mansione illarum (On their migration and dwelling)
De cibo et potu avium (On the food and drink of birds)
De vocibus avium (On the voices of birds)
De sagacitate quarundam avium (On the sagacity of certain birds)
De quarundam pugnacitate (On the fighting of certain ones)
De nominibus et naturis avium secundum alphabetum et primo de accipitre (On the names and natures of birds according to the alphabet and first on the hawk)
De eodem (Also on the hawk)
De diversis speciebus accipitris (On the different species of hawk)
De medicinis ex accipitre (On medicines from the hawk)
De acanthe et acredula (On the anthus and the nightingale)
De aeriophilone (On the aeriophylon)
De agochile et alauda (On the nightjar and the lark)
De alieeto (On the osprey)
De alcione (On the kingfisher)
De anate (On the duck)
De cibo et medicina ex anate (On food and medicine from the duck)
De ansere (On the goose)
De generatione anserum et impinguatione (On the breeding and fattening up of geese)
De cibo et medicina ex ansere (On food and medicine from the goose)
De aquila (On the eagle)
De eadem (Also on the eagle)
De speciebus aquile (On species of eagles)
De nidis aquile et pullificatione (On eagle nests and brooding)
De aquile senescentis renovatione (On the renewal of an aging eagle)
De medicinis ex aquila (On medicines from the eagle)
De ardea et ardeola [1] et asalon et asida (On the heron and pond heron and merlin and ostrich)
De athaco [2] et avibus paradisi et aurifrigio (On the athaco and paradisi and the osprey)
De bartlathe sive bernaca (On the barnacle goose)
De bistarda et bonosa (On the bustard and grouse)
De bubone (On the owl)
De buteo et botauro (On the hawk and bittern)
De caladrio et calendre (On the caladrius and lark)
De capone et caprimulgo (On the cock and nightjar)
De charadrio et cardule et carista (On the caladrius and goldfinch and cariste)
De ciconia (On the stork)
De pietate ciconiarum et castimonia (On the piety and chastity of storks)
De cygno (On the swan)
Idem de eodem (Also on the swan)
De cynomulgo et cypseto et citramo [3] (On the cinnamologus and swallow and citramo)
De coccyge (On the cuckoo)
De columba (On the dove)
De eadem (Also on the dove)
De columbario (On the dovecote)
De columbarum pudicitia (On the dove's chastity)
De generatione columbina (On the breeding of the dove)
De carnibus columbinis (On the food of doves)
De operatione columbe in medicina (On the use of the dove in medicine)
De coredulo et cornice (On the coredulus and the crow)
De corvo (On the crow)
De eodem (Also on the crow)
De sagacitate corvi (On the sagacity of the crow)
De coturnice (On the quail)
De trochilo (On the trochilus)
De cubeth [4] (On the partridge)
De cuculo (On the cuckoo)
De diomedeis avibus (On the dyomeda birds)
De egytho et emeria [5] et ercinia (On titmouse and emeria and hercinia)
De falcone (On the falcon)
De diversis generibus falconum (On the different kinds of falcons)
De fasiano (On the pheasant)
De fatatore (On the fatatore)
De fenice (On the phoenix)
De ficedula et filomena (On the figpecker and the nightingale)
De fulica (On the coot)
De gallo (On the cock)
De eodem (Also on the cock)
De gallinaceo (On the hen)
De cibo et medicina ex gallo (On the food and medicine from the cock)
De medicinis ex gallinaceo (On the medicine from the hen)
De gallina et eius educatione (On the hen and its raising)
De impregnatione (On impregnation of the hen)
De ipsius incubatione (On the incubation of the hen)
De generatione pullorum et educatione (On the breeding and raising of chicks)
De cibo et medicina ex gallina (On the food and medicine from the hen)
De gyrofalcone et gosturdo (On the gyrfalcon and the gosturdus)
De glottide (On the glutis)
De gracchulo (On the jackdaw)
De gryphe (On the griffin)
De grue (On the crane)
De gruum volatu et peregrinatione (On the flight and migration of cranes)
De eodem (Also on the crane)
De harpya (On the harpy)
De herodio (On the gyrfalcon)
De ibide (On the ibis)
De hyrundine (On the swallow)
De hyrundinum pullificatione (On the hatching of swallows)
De medicinis ex hirundine (On medicine from swallows)
De kiki et koki [6] (On the kyches and the koki)
De lago et laro et lucidio (On the ptarmigan and the gull and the hercinia)
De luscinia (On the nightingale)
De linacho (On the linachos)
De meanta et mennonide (On the meauce and the memnonides)
De mergo (On the mergus)
De merillone at merope (On the merillione and the bee-eater)
De merula (On the blackbird)
De milvo (On the kite)
De monedula et muscicapa (On the jackdaw and the flycatcher)
De nicedula (On owl)
De nycticorace vel noctua (On the night owl)
De niso [7] (On the falcon)
De onocrotalo (On the bittern)
De ophimacho [8] (On the opimacus)
De oriolo et ortygometra (On the oriole and the quail)
De osina et ossifrago (On the pelican and the osprey)
De otho (On the owl)
De palumbe (On the wood-dove)
De medicinis ex palumbo (On the medicine from the wood-dove)
De passere (On the sparrow)
De cibo et medicina ex passere (On the food and medicine from the sparrow)
De pavone (On the peacock)
De pavonum generatione (On the breeding of peacocks)
De ipsius educatione (On the raising of peacocks)
De virtute carnis eius (On the virtue of the peacock's flesh)
De pegaso et pelargo (On the pegasus and the stork)
De pellicano (On the pelican)
De perdice (On the partridge)
De perdicum incubatione (On the incubation of partridges)
De cibo ac medicina ex perdice (On food and medicine from the partridge)
De pica (On the magpie)
De pico et pigargo (On the woodpecker and the sea eagle)
De platea et pluviali (On the spoonbill and the plover)
De porphyrione (On the porphirio)
De psittaco (On the parrot)
De regulo [9] (On the parrot)
De seleutide ac stryge [10] et strophylo (On the zelencides and owl and trochilus)
De struthione (On the ostrich)
De eodem (Also on the ostrich)
De struthiocamelo et sturno (On the ostrich and the starling)
De tarda et tragopa (On the bustard and the tragopan)
De turdela [11] et turdo (On the turdela and the thrush)
De turture (On the turtledove)
De eodem (Also on the turtledove)
De vanello (On the stymphalis)
De vespertilione (On the bat)
De ulula (On the owl)
De upupa (On the hoopoe)
De vulture (On the vulture)
De eodem (Also on the vulture)
De multiplici vulturum genere (On the many kinds of vultures)
De generatione vulturum et educatione (On the breeding and raising of vultures)
De medicinis ex vulture (On the medicine from vulture)
De iboz et ydrio [12] et isida et ixione [13] et seleutide (Of the anthus and the hydrus and isida and ixione and zelencides)
De generatione avium (On the breeding of birds)
Iterum De fecunditate earum (Again, On their fecundity)
De nidificatione avium (On the nesting of birds)
De generatione ovorum (On the generation of eggs)
De complemento eorum (On their complement)
De natura ovorum (On the nature of eggs)
De varietate ovorum (On the variety of eggs)
De operatione ovorum in cibo (On the function of eggs in food)
De operatione ipsorum in medicina (On their function in medicine)
De eodem (On the same)
De ovis venti (On the windy eggs)
De incubatione ovorum (On the incubation of eggs)
De corruptione eorum (On their corruption)
De complemento pullorum in ovis (On the complement of chicks in eggs)
De nutrimento pullorum (On the nutrition of chicks)
De exclusione pullorum (On the hatching of chicks)
De educatione pullorum et carnibus eorum (On the raising of chicks and their food)

Notes on Bird chapters

[1] The Latin word ardeola suggests "small heron" (the eola suffix is a diminutive).

[2] Of the athaco Vincent says "Athaco, of whom we read in Leviticus, is a bird unknown even to Jewish experts".

[3] The citramo is commonly associated with the swallow, but may not actually be one. It is said to fly constantly and have no feet [see dariata].

[4] The name cubeth for partridge is attributed to Aristotle: "Cubeth est avis luxuriosa..." (De animalibas, VIII, 613b18) [see Šedinová, page 99].

[5] Vincent, quoting Jorath, says "Emerie are birds that, flying at night, illuminate the air because of the nature of their feathers, which shine more in the dark than in the light, and are thus betrayed and captured.". This is similar to the hericinia bird.

[6] Vincent says that the koki "is a bird at whose death (as has been said) the birds cry out with a painful and fearful cry".

[7] Vincent says that the niso "The nisus is the third of the bird-hunting species is the smallest, but by its sex and nature the most ready for hunting, and is added to the genus of falcons".

[8] Vincent places the ophimachus among the birds, but says "I think that this should be numbered among the small flying creatures, like the caterpillar and the locust, which are of the same genus...". Other authors say it is an insect.

[9] The name regulus is one of the Latin names for the basilisk, but here Vincent (quoting Pseudo-John Folsham) says it is a parrot.

[10] Strynge is stryx or strix, owl.

[11] Turdella is another kind of thrush.

[12] Vincent calls the ydrio a flying animal and places it among the birds. His description is of the hydrus, which is not a bird: "The hydrus is a flying animal in the Nile River, quite hostile to the crocodile. For by nature and custom, when it sees a crocodile lying on the bank of the river with its mouth open, it envelops itself in slime so that it can more easily slip into its jaws. And thus, sneaking around with its jaws, it erodes the crocodile's entrails, and at last leaps out alive."

[13] Vincent says of the ixione: "[it] is an unclean bird according to the law, the nature of which is not sufficiently known to us. However, as we read, it is of the genus of vultures, but smaller than the vulture."

De generatione piscium (On the breeding of fish)
De corporibus et membris eorum (On their bodies and members)
De dentibus et linguis piscium (On the teeth and tongues of fish)
De branchiis piscium (On the gills of fish)
De pinnulis et caudis eorum (On their fins and tails)
De vita et memoria piscium (On the life and memory of fish)
De sensibus eorum (On their senses)
De anhelitu et somno piscium (On the breathing and sleep of fish)
De alimento piscium (On the food of fish)
De piscium impinguatione (On the fattening of fish)
Qualiter elementum aque sit in eis connaturale (How the element of water is connatural in them)
De mansione piscium in aqua vel terra (On the residence of fish in water or on land)
De conversatione piscium per aque loca diversa (On the behavior of fish through different water places)
De variatione piscium secundum anni tempora (On the variation of fish according to the seasons of the year)
De vario motu piscium (On the various movements of fish)
De morbis ac senectute illorum (On their diseases and old age)
De inimicitia quorundam ad invicem (On the enmity of some towards one another)
De diversis generibus piscium (On the different kinds of fish)
De diversis figuris piscium (On the different shapes of fish)
De multiformi specie ipsorum (On their multiform species)
De diversis tegumentis piscium (On the different integuments of fish)
De carnibus piscium et adipibus eorum (On the flesh of fish and their fat)
De multiplici carnium eorum diversitate (On the manifold diversity of their flesh)
De electione piscium meliorum ad esum (On the choice of the best fish for eating)
De venatione sive piscatione piscium (On the hunting or fishing of fish)
Adhuc de eodem (And more on the same)
De luxuria hominum in captura et esu piscium (On the luxury of men in catching and eating fish)
De nominibus piscium (On the names fish)
De naturis piscium in speciali secundum ordinem alphabeti et primo de abrenone et achande [1] et accipendro, albirez, alphoraz (On the nature of fish in particular according to the order of the alphabet and first of abarenon and echeneis and sturgeon, albirez, alphoraz)
De halece (On the allec)
De anguilla (On the eel)
De aranea et ariete et arimi [2] (On the sea-spider and sea-ram and arimi)
De aspidochelone et aurata [3] (On whale and aurata)
De balena (On whale)
De borbotha et botha et brena [4] (On the borbothis and bothis and brena)
De cancro (On the crab)
De eodem (Also on the crab)
De operatione cancrorum in cibo vel medicina (On the use of crabs in food or medicine)
De eodem (Also on the crab for food or medicine)
De caucio et capitato et carpera (On the catfish and capito and carp)
De ceto (On the whale)
De eodem (Also on the whale)
De cibo ac spermate ceti (On food from the sperm whale)
De conchis (On the conchis)
De cochleis (On the snail)
De congro et corem et corvo (On the conger eel and corem [5] and sea-raven)
De dentrice et die (On bream and day-fish)
De eceloa (On the pearl-oyster)
De echenei vel echino (On the echeneis)
De eodem (Also on the echeneis)
De medicinis ex eodem (On medicines from the echeneis)
De ephemero et scaro (On the day-fish and scarus)
De exoceto [6] (On the flying fish)
De fastaleo et fasten [7] et fice [8] (On the mullet and fasten and fice)
De gardone [9] et gladio et glauco (On the gardone and swordfish and glaucus)
De gobione et grano (On the gudgeon and uranoscopus)
De hamio et hirundine (On the amia and sea-swallow)
De icino marino (On sea-urchin)
De eodem secundum aristotelem (On the same according to Aristotle)
De calao [10] et carcora [11] et kilok (On hornet and carcora and kylok)
De leone et lepore (On the seal and sea-hare)
De medicinis ex lepore marino (On medicine from the sea-hare)
De locusta (Of the lobster)
De lucio (On the pike)
De lupo [12] (On the pike)
De megare et milagine et milvo [13] (On the megaris and the millago and the sea-kite)
De mugile (On the mullet)
De multipede (On the octopus)
De mullo (On the mullet)
De medicinis ex mullo (On medicine from the mullet)
De murena (On the muraena)
De eodem (Also on the muraena)
De murice (On the sea-snail)
De mure ac musculo et mustela [14] (On the sea-mouse and the mussel and the sea-weasel)
De narco et nautilo et nube [15] (On the torpedo and the nautilus and the nube)
De orbe [16] et ostrea (On the orb and the pearl-oyster)
De medicinis ex ostrea (On medicine from the oyster)
De pagro, pavo, pectine et perca (On the pagrus, the sea-peacock, the scallop and the perch)
De pinna et plais [17] (On the pina and the plais)
De porco marino (On the sea-pig)
De pungitivo (On the pungitivus)
De purpura (On the sea-snail)
De medicinis ex purpura (On the medicine from the sea-snail)
De raithe et raha [18] (On the ray and the raha)
De rana marina (On the sea-frog)
De rhombo (On the turbot)
De salmone (On the salmon)
De scolopendra et scorpione (On the sea-centipede and the sea-scorpion)
De sepia (On the cuttlefish)
De medicinis ex sepia (On the medicine from the cuttlefish)
De spongia (Of the sponge)
De medicinis ex ea (On the medicine from the sponge)
De solari et solea (On the sunfish and the sole)
De spinachia [19] et squatina (On the spinachia and the skate)
De stella et sturione (On the starfish and the sturgeon)
De teucha [20] et tithimallo et torpedine (On the teucha and the thymallus and the torpedo)
De trebio et truta (On the trebius and the trout)
De venth et vipera et umbra [21] (On the bitterling and the sea-viper and the umbra)
De uranoscopo et urtica et vulpe (On the uranoscopus and the jellyfish and the sea-fox)
De monstris marinis (On the sea monsters)
De ahune (On the mullet)
De barchora (On the sea-turtle)
De caab et cane marino (On the caab and the sea-dog)
De celethi ac ceruleo (On the celethi and the ceruleum)
De chilone et cricho (On the chylon and the crab)
De crocodilo (On the crocodile)
Item de eodem (Also on the crocodile)
De medicinis ex crocodilo (On medicines from the crocodile)
De delphino (On the dolphin)
Idem de eodem (Also on the dolphin)
De amore delphinorum ad prolem et ad invicem (On the love of dolphins for their offspring and each other)
De familiaritate delphini ad hominem (On the familiarity of the dolphin to man)
De medicinis ex delphino (On medicines from the dolphin)
De dracone marino (On the sea-dragon)
De equo marino et equonilo et equo fluminis (On the sea-horse and the equinilus and the hippopotamus)
De felco [22] et foca et galata (On the felco and the seal and the galalca)
De karabo et kilone (On the lobster and the chylon)
De kolki (On the seal)
De leviathan et ludolachra et loligine (On the leviathan and the ludolacra and the cuttlefish)
De monacho marino et monocerote (On the sea-monk and the narwhal)
De nereide et orcha (On the nereid and the orca)
De perna et pistro et platanista (On the perna and the whale and the dolphin)
De polypo (On the octopus)
De polypi sagacitate (On the sagacity of the octopus)
De polyporum generatione (On the breeding of the octopuses)
De captura ipsorum vel venatione (On their capture or hunting)
De scylla et serra (On the scylla and the sawfish)
De stinco (On the stinchis)
De syrene (On the siren)
De testeo (On the testeum)
De testudine marina (On the sea-turtle)
De thynno (On the tuna)
De medicinis ex thynno (On medicines from the tuna)
De tortuca (On the sea-turtle)
De vacca et vitulo marino (On the sea-cow and the seal)
De hippotamo (On the hippopotamus)
De eodem (Also on the hippopotamus)
De cedroso et zidrach et zephio (On the zedrosis and sea-horse and zifius)
De zitiron (On the sea-turtle)
De sexu piscium (On the sex of fish)
De multiplici generatione piscium (On the multiple generations of fish)
De coitu piscium (On the copulation of fish)
De piscium impregnatione (On the impregnation of fish)
De ipsorum ovatione (On their ovation)

Notes on Fish chapters

[1] The name achandes is ambiguous. Quoting Jorath, the text says of it "The fish Achandes, anxious about its young, clings to the ships of the sea, and so because of it the ships become completely immobile." This suggests the echeneis.

[2] The fish named arimi is unknown. The text says "The arimi fish, when a man sees it, intoxicates him and moves him to quarrels and contentions, but after he has eaten it, his anger is appeased".

[3] Aurata is unknown. The text says "It is called golden [i.e. aurum] because it has the color of gold on its head".

[4] Brena is unknown. Quoting Alexander Neckam, the text says "The brena is a river fish that, when it sees a light approaching, turns to the muddy bottoms, disturbing the clarity of the waters behind it".

[5] Corem is unknown. Quoting Esculapius, the text says "Corez is a fish that hides itself in caves during the rainy season. For while the rain falls on it and is absorbed, it becomes exhausted and then dies".

[6] The identification of the exocetus as the flying fish is uncertain.

[7] Fasten is unknown. Quoting Jorath, the text says "Fasten is a fish that, when it constricts water in its mouth, becomes sweet from it. Wherefore the smaller fish follow it into its mouth, and it thus catches and swallows them". This is similar to one of the attributes of the whale.

[8] Fice or ficus is uncertain, but may be the trebius, a fish "invented" by Thomas of Cantimpré, which is also said to build a nest. Quoting Pliny the Elder, the text says "The ficis is a fish that changes its color, remaining white at other times but variegated at spring. It is the only fish that builds a nest of seaweed and gives birth in that nest". Pliny (Book 9.45) actually calls this fish menae, but tells essentially the same story.

[9] Gardone is unknown. Vincent says "The gardo is a river fish, of a very pleasant taste, similar to the bream, but it is distinguished from it by the redness of its eyes. Both, however, are of medium size.".

[10] Calao is unknown. Quoting Aristotle, the text says "Calaos is a sea fish, of many species. Rain, which is usually a remedy for other fish and an aid to fattening, is given to this one as a ruin. For if there is a lot of rain, it goes blind in its eyes and consequently, since it cannot seek food, it dies of hunger."

[11] Carcora is unknown. Quoting Aristotle, the text says "The carcora is a fish which, after being caught, lives for a long time and feeds itself from itself, because there is a smell of water on its intestines."

[12] Lupo or sea-wolf is another name for the pike.

[13] Milvus is the Latin name for the kite, so in this context it would be the "sea-kite". Quoting Pliny the Elder, the text says "Milvus rises into the highest seas, a fish named after its theme, a lamp, and a fiery tongue sticking out of its mouth, shining brightly on peaceful nights. It raises horns almost six feet long from the sea, and from these it derives its name."

[14] Mustela is the Latin name for the weasel, so in this context it would be the "sea-weasel". Quoting Aristotle, the confusing text says "Mustela, like the dolphin and the seal, produce their live offspring from their own bodies, and when they have given birth, if they see anyone plotting against their young, they protect them, suppressing the fear of old age with maternal affection, and opening their mouths and suspending their births with a harmless tooth. They also receive them in their internal bodies and hide them in their genital abdomen until they carry them to safety or defend them with their own bodies." This is most likely a misquote by Vincent. Aristotle (Historia Animalium, Book VI, Bekker 565b) says that the sea-dog and other fish can do this, but does not mention the "sea-weasel".

[15] Nube is uncertain, but may be the sponge, which has a similar description. Quoting Aristotle, the text says "Nube, according to Aristotle, is a fish, living in water, attached to a rock, from which it does not depart or separate, unless compelled by the attraction of inspiration." This is actually a quote from Pseudo-John Folsham, not directly from Aristotle.

[16] Orbe is unknown. Quoting Isidore of Seville, the text says "Orbis is called from its shape, namely because it is round and consists entirely of a head."

[17] Plais is unknown. Vincent says "The plais is a well-known and common flat fish among us. It is It bicolored, for on one side it is white, on the other black. About which, as about many others, I have found nothing in the aforementioned authors, unless perhaps they call it by other names than we do."

[18] Raha is unknown. Quoting Jorath, the text says "There is a fish named raha which is stupefying, so that if it is carried with a net, its stupefication reaches the hand in which it is carried. It hides in the sand and mud. And it hunts all the fish that come near it, and because it stuns them, so that they cannot move, it pursues them and eats them."

[19] Spinachia is unknown. Quoting Pseudo-John Folsham, the text says "Spinachia is indeed small in body, but it is very useful. Because of the small spines sticking out from all sides, it is very safe from the bite of any other fish."

[20] Teucha is unknown. Vincent says "The teucha is a river or pond fish, known to all: it is reared in mud, like an eel, whence its color, that is, yellow or black. Both fish are of a sweet taste, but of ill digestion."

[21] Umbra ("shadow") is unknown. Quoting Isidore of Seville, the text says "The umbra is named from heat, because it is the color of the shadow."

[22] Felco (felcus, helcus) is another name for the seal.

De opere sexta diei et primo De animalibus (On the work On the sixth day and first on animals)
De pecoribus in generali (On cattle in general)
De eisdem in speciali secundum ordinem alphabeti et primo de agno (On the same in particular according to alphabetical order and first on the lamb)
De multiplici agni utilitate (On the many uses of the lamb)
De apro (On the boar)
De medicinis ex apro (On medicines from the boar)
De ariete (On the ram)
De arietibus ad coitum admittendis (On admitting rams to copulation)
De usu eius in cibo et medicinis (On its use in food and medicine)
De asino (On the ass)
De eodem (Also on the ass)
De asinorum generatione (On the breeding of asses)
De medicinalibus ex asino sumptis (On medicines taken from the ass)
De eodem (Also on medicines taken from the ass)
De bove (On the ox)
De eodem (Also on the ox)
De bobus comparandis et eligendis (On comparing and choosing oxen)
De bobus edomandis et iugo preparandis (On taming oxen and preparing a yoke)
De carnibus boninis (On the meat of cattle)
De operatione bovis in medicina (On the use of the ox in medicine)
De bubalo et bisonte (On the buffalo and the bison)
De camelo (On the camel)
De eodem (Also on the camel)

De usu camelorum in preliis (On the use of camels in battles)

De generatione camelorum (On the breeding of camels)

De medicinalibus ex camelo (On medicines from camels)

De capra (On the goat)

De generatione caprarum (On the breeding of goats)

De carnibus caprinis in medicinis ex earum corporibus (On goat meat in medicines from their bodies)

De medicinis caprarum (On medicines for goats)

De ceteris medicinalibus ex capra procedentibus (On other medicines coming from the goat)

De caprea (On the wild goat)

De capro (On the goat)

De cervo (On the stag)

De inimicitia cervi cum serpente (On the enmity of the stag with the serpent)

De cervorum sagacitate (On the sagacity of the stag)

De ipsorum venatione (On their hunting)

De cervorum generatione (On the breeding of stag)

De morbis ac senectute eorum (On their diseases and old age)

De carnibus cervinis et adipe et sanguine (On stag meat and fat and blood)

De cervorum cornibus (On stag horns)

De medicinis ex cervi cornibus (On medicines from stag horns)

De ceteris ex cervo medicinalibus (On other medicinal products from stag)

De cuniculo (On the rabbit)

De damula et dromeda (On the doe and the dromedary)

De hedo (On the young goat)

De equo (On the horse)

De ingenio et affectu equorum (On the nature and affection of horses)

De generatione ipsorum (On their breeding)

De emissariis ad equas admittendis (On admitting foals to mares)

De pullis equorum nutriendis atque domandis (On nourishing and taming young horses)

De melioribus equis eligendis (On choosing the best horses)

De usu equorum in preliis (On the use of horses in battles)

De vivacitate equorum et morbis (On the vivacity of horses and diseases)

De diversis equorum generibus et equifero et equicervo (On the different kinds of horses and the equine and the equicervus)

De medicinis ex equo (On medicines from the horse)

De hyrco (On the he-goat)

De operatione hyrci in ciborum remedio (On the effect of the he-goat in the treatment of food)

De ibice (On the ibex)

De hinnulo (On the young deer)

De lepore (On the hare)

De eodem (Also on the hare)

De medicinali leporis operatione (On the medicinal effects of the hare)

De eodem (On the same)

De mulo (On the mule)

De eodem (On the same)

De mulorum generatione (On the breeding of mules)

De medicinis ex mulo (On medicines from the mule)

De ove (On the sheep)

Adhuc de eodem (And again on the same)

De diversis generibus ovium (On the different kinds sheep)

De pastu ovium (On sheep grazing)

De generatione ovium (On sheep breeding)

De carnibus ovinis (On sheep meat)

De torsione, tonsione, ovium et lana (On sheep shearing and wool)

De usu lane in medicina (On the use of wool in medicine)

De ceteris utilitatibus ovis (On other uses of sheep)

De porco (On the pig)

De porcorum cibo (On pig food)

De generatione porcorum (On pig breeding)

De morbis eorum (On their diseases)

De carnibus porcinis (On pork meat)

De diversis porcorum medicinis (On various pig medicines)

De sue (On swine)

De verribus ad sues admittendis (On boars admitted to pigs)

De medicinis suillis ac verrinis (On swine and boar medicines)

De tauro (On the bull)

De eodem (On the same)

De tauris indicis (On Indian bulls admitted to cows)

De tauris ad vaccas admittendis (On admitting bulls to cows)

De diversis ex tauro medicinis (On various medicines from cows)

De vacca (On the cow)

De carne vaccina et lacte (On cow meat and milk)

De medicinis ex vacca (On medicines from cows)

De vervece (On the wether)

De vitulo (On the calf)

De vitulis castrandis (On castrating calves)

De medicinis ex vitulo (On medicines from calves)

De bestiis (On beasts)
De ahane et alce (On the ahanes and the elk)
De anabulla, aptalo et aucatinore [1] (On the giraffe, antelope and the aucatinore)
De bonaso (On the bonnacon)
De cacus (On the cacus)
De chameleonte (On the chameleon)
De eodem (Also on the chameleon)
De medicinis ex chameleonte (On the medicines from the chameleon)
De camelopardo (On the giraffe)
De cane (On the dog)
De eodem (Als on the dog)
De canis sagacitate (On the sagacity of the dog)
De affectu canum ad dominos suos (On the affection of dogs for their masters)
De diversis generibus canum (On the different kinds of dogs)
De sexu canum (On the sex of dogs)
De generatione ipsorum (On their breeding)
De catulis ac cecitate ipsorum (On the puppies and their blindness)
De etatibus et morbis canum (On the ages and diseases of dogs)
De latratu canum (On the barking of dogs)
De morsu eorum ac remediis contra eum (On their bite and remedies against it)
De medicinis ex cane (On medicines from the dog)
De cane rabioso (On the rabid dog)
De signis rabiei in cane (On the signs of rabies in a dog)
De morsu canis rabiosi (On the bite of a rabid dog)
De signis eiusdem morsure (On the signs of the same bite)
De remediis contra eum in usu medicine (On remedies against it in medical use)
De eodem (On the same)
De castore (On the beaver)
De iterum de eodem (Also on the beaver)
De venatione castoris (On the hunting of beavers)
De castoreo (On the beaver)
De eodem (On the same)
De catoblepa et cato (On the catoblepas and the cat)
De cepho et leucocrata (On the cefusa and the leucrota)
De cherogryllo [2] (On the cherogryllo)
De duran (On the duran)
De eale (On the yale)
De elephante (On the elephant)
De humanitate et obedientia elephantorum (On the humanity and obedience of elephants)
De sagacitate ipsorum (On their sagacity)
De pugna elephantorum cum draconibus (On the fight elephants with dragons)
Qualiter homines utuntur elephantibus in preliis (How men use elephants in battle)
De eodem (On the same)
De coitu elephantorum et generatione (On the copulation and breeding of elephants)
De membrorum elephanticorum creatione (On the creation of elephant limbs)
De eodem (On the same)
De promuscide (On the trunk)
De etatibus et morbis et nocumentis elephantorum (On the ages and diseases and harms of elephants)
De venatione ipsorum (On their hunting)
De ipsorum domesticatione (On their domestication)
De ebore (On ivory)
De diversis medicaminibus ex elephante (On various medicines from elephants)
De enchire [3] (On the enchire)
De enydro et enitra (On the hydrus and hemtra)
De erinacio et ermineo (On the hedgehog and the ermine)
De falena et fibro (On the falena and the beaver)
De furone et furunculo (On the mole and the ferret)
De galy et genetha (On the weasel and genetha)
De hericio (On the hedgehog)
De medicinis ex hericio (On medicines from the hedgehog)
De hyena (On the hyena)
De medicinis ex hyena (On medicines from the hyena)
De histrice (On the porcupine)
De icino et inacli [4] (On the hedgehog and the elk)
De lamia et lauzani (On the lamia and the lanzani)
De leone (On the lion)
De virtute leonis sive fortitudine (On the virtue of the lion or fortitude)
De leonis ferocitate (On the lion's ferocity)
De ipsius audacia et nobilitate (On its audacity and nobility)
De eius humilitate et docilitate (On its humility and docility)
De diversis generibus leonum (On the different kinds of lions)
De venatione ipsorum (On their hunting)
De generatione leonum (On the breeding of lions)
De etatibus et morbis ac nocumentis eorum (On their ages and diseases and harms)
De medicinis ex leone (On medicines from the lion)
De leopardo (On the leopard)
De leontophono et leucrota (On leontophone and leucrota)
De lichaone et lycisco (On the lycaon and the lycisca)
De lynce (On the lynx)
De urina lyncis (On the urine of lynxes)
De locusta (On the locust)
De lupo (On the wolf)
De astutia luporum (On the cunning of wolves)
De malitia et noxietate ipsorum (On their malice and noxiousness)
De cibis eorum (On their food)
De generatione et etate luporum (On the breeding and age of wolves)
De diversis generibus luporum (On the different kinds of wolves)
De medicinis ex lupo (On medicines from the wolf)
De lutra (On the otter)
De mammoneto et manticora (On the mammonetus and the manticore)
De melone et meloso ac monocerote (On the badger and the molosus and the monocerus)
De musione (On the cat)
De musquelibo et musco (On the musquelibet and musk)
De onagris (On the onager)
De diversis generibus onagrorum (On the different kinds of onagers)
De medicinis ex onagro (On medicines from the onager)
De onocentauro et orasio (On the onocentaur and the giraffe)
De oryge (On the oryx)
De panthera (On the panther)
De generatione ac venatione panthere (On the breeding and hunting of the panther)
De parandro et pardo (On the parandrus and the pard)
De piloso et pyrolo et putorio (On the wild man and the squirrel and the polecat)
De ramigere et rosurella (On the reindeer and the weasel)
De rhinocephalo et rhinocerote [5] (On the monocerus and the unicorn)
De sciuro et scurulo [6] et stryge (On the squirrel and the porcupine)
De simia (On the ape)
De ridiculositate simiarum (On the ridiculousness of apes)
De fetibus simiarum ac speciebus earum (On the offspring of apes and their species)
De tarandro (On the parandrus)
De taxo (On the badger)
De medicinis ex taxo (On medicine from the badger)
De tygride (On the tiger)
De tragelapho et tragodita (On the tragelaphus and the trogodite)
De vario et unicorne et uncia (On the squirrel and the unicorn and the jackal)
De uro (On the wild ox [aurochs])
De urso (On the bear)
De astutia ursi et sevitia (On the bear's cunning and cruelty)
De generatione ursina (On the breeding of bears)
De venatione ursi et captura (On the bear's hunting and capture)
De medicinis ex urso (On medicines from the bear)
De vulpe (On the fox)
De vulpis dolositate (On the fox's cunningness)
De medicinis ex vulpe (On medicines from the fox)
De ichneumone et hippotamo (On the ichneumon and the hippopotamus)
De zubrone (On the buffalo)
De minutis bestiolis et primo de mure (On the small animals and the first one of the mouse)
De mure (On the mouse)
De diversis generibus murium (On the different kinds of mice)
De his cum quibus mures fugantur (On those things with which mice are driven away)
De medicinis ex mure (On medicines from the mouse)
De glyre (On the dormouse)
De mygale (On the ferret)
De mustela (On the weasel)
Adhuc de eodem (And again on the same)
De medicinis ex mustelis (On medicines from the weasels)
De ratto et sorice (On the rat and the mouse)
De talpa (On the mole)
Adhuc de eodem (And again on the same)
De medicinis ex talpa (On medicines from the mole)

Notes on Beast chapters

[1] Aucatinore is unknown. In this puzzling quote from Aristotle, the text says "Aucatinor is an animal equal to a light-weight puppy; its intelligence is greater when it is small than when it is large." This quote has not been found in Aristotle's De animalibus.

[2] Cherogryllus is unknown. It is from a Latin word (choerogryllus) of Greek origin: choiros (pig) and gryllos (cricket or a caricatured figure). It appears in Leviticus 11:5: "The cherogrillus which chews the cud, but divides not the hoof, is unclean." The word also occurs in other books of the Torah/Old Testament, based on the Hebrew word shãphãn, variously translated as hedgehog, porcupine or rabbit, or more generally as some small animal living among rocks. Vincent says of it "We read that it is larger than a hedgehog, but spiny; which is clear that some falsely said that this is a rabbit."

[3] Enchire is unknown, but it may be the bonnacon or duran. Vincent says of it "Now it seems that the enchires are the same beast that was called duran or bonnassos according to Aristotle."

[4] Inaclin is probably the elk, in the account that confuses it with the elephant. Quoting Pliny the Elder, the text says "The Inaclin in Scadmavia does not bend over at all, therefore it does not lie down, but leans against a tree in its sleep and is caught in ambush by cutting it. Otherwise, it is noted for its speed, its upper lip is very large and for this reason it moves backwards while grazing, lest it be caught in the former."

[5] The rhinocephalo and rhinocerote are the monocerus and the unicorn, but which is which is indeterminate. Both Latin names could refer to either animal.

[6] Sciuro and scurulo are alternate names for the squirrel.

De reptilibus in generali (On reptiles in general)
De serpentibus in communi (On snakes in general)
De anatomia serpentum (On the anatomy of snakes)
De generatione ipsorum (On their breeding)
De cibo eorum (On their food)
De motu et vivacitate ipsorum (On their movement and vivacity)
De astutia eorum (On their cunning)
De venenis serpentium (On the venom of snakes)
De nocumentis et remediis (On their harm and remedies)
De eodem (On the same)
De multiplici varietate serpentium ac nocumentis ipsorum (On the multifarious variety of snakes and their harm)
De eodem (On the same)
De monstruosis serpentibus (On monstrous snakes)
De his que contraria vel noxia sunt serpentibus (On those things which are contrary or harmful to snakes)
De eodem (On the same)
De medicinis ex serpentibus (On medicines from snakes)
De anguibus (On snakes)
De afferato et affudio [1] (On jumping and flying snakes)
De anfibena et armena (On the amphisbaena and cobra)
De aspide (On the asp)
Adhuc de eodem (Again on the same)
De basilisce (On the basilisk)
De basilisco (Also on basilisks)
De generibus basiliscorum et remediis contra illos (On the types of basilisks and remedies against them)
De behemoth et bero et boa (On the behemoth and berus and boa)
De cecula et chelidro ac cenchri (On cecula and chelydros and centris)
De ceraste (On cerastes)
De colubro (On snakes)
De dracone (On dragons)
De pugna draconis cum elephante ac ceteris (On the fight of dragons with elephants and others)
De documentis draconum (On the lessons of dragons)
De utilitatibus ipsorum (On their uses)
De draconcopede (On draconcopedes)
De dipsade (On dipsa)
De hemorrhoide et enhydro et exhydra (On haemorrhois and hydros and hydra)
De glandosa [2] et natrice (On glandosa and natrix)
De iaculo et hypnali (On the jaculus and hypnalis)
De leviathan (On leviathan)
De nepa et obite (On the viper and ophites)
De padera et paria et prestere (On the naderos and parias and prester)
De regulo (On the basilisk)
De salpinga et scytali ac sepe (On the salpuga and scitalis and seps)
De situla et spuente ac syrena (On the dipsa and cobra and siren (serpent))
De taranta [3] et tortuca (On the taranta and tortoise)
De tyro (On the tyrus)
Adhuc de eodem (Also On the same)
De tyri carnibus et tyriaca [4] (On the flesh of the tyrus and tyriaca)
De vipera (On the viper)
De generibus viperarum (On the types of vipers)
De generatione ipsarum (On their breeding)
De quibus viperis conficienda sit tyriaca (On the vipers from which tyriaca should be made)
De ipsarum preparatione (On their preparation)
De diversis medicinis ex vipera et contra eius morsuram (On various medicines from vipers and against its bite)
De hydra (On the hydra)
De genere lacertorum (On the types of lizards)
De borace et batracha (On botrax and frog)
De bufone (On the buffone)
De gamaleone (On the chameleon)
De rana (On the frog)
De diversis ranarum speciebus (On various species of frogs)
De medicinis ex ranis (On medicines from frogs)
De rubeta (On the frog~>)
De salamandra (On the salamander)
De salamandre nocumento ac remedio (On the harm of the salamander and its remedy)
De saura et stellione (On lizard and newt)
De medicinis ex stellione (On medicines from the newt)
De vermibus in generali (On worms in general)
Item de eodem (Also on worms)
De diversa vermium origine (On the diverse origin of worms)
De annulosis (On ringed worms)
De pedibus eorum (On their feet)
De quarundam alis (On their wings)
De quorundam aculeis (On their stings)
De vita insectorum sive annulosorum (On the life of insects or ringed worms)
De sensibus ac vocibus eorum (On their senses and voices)
De generatione ipsorum (On their breeding)
De apibus (On bees)
De excellentia apum (On the excellence of bees)
De solertia earum (On their cleverness)
De generatione apum (On the breeding of bees)
De pullis earum (On their young)
De sexu et etatibus earum (On their sex and ages)
De regibus apum (On the kings of bees)
Adhuc de eodem (And again on the same)
De speciebus apum (On the species of bees)
De vita earum et voce vel sono (On their life and voice or sound)
De cibo earum et potu ac somno (On their food and drink and sleep)
De mansionibus earum (On their dwellings)
De apibus investigandis (On investigating bees)
De apibus collocandis (On placing bees)
De examinibus excipiendis et custodiendis (On taking and keeping specimens)
De eisdem supplendis vel reparandis (On supplying or repairing them)
De processu apum ad operandum (On the process of how bees work)
De diversis officiis earum (On their various duties)
De pugnacitate ipsarum (On their own fighting spirit)
De operationibus apum (On the uses of bees)
De favo (On the honeycomb)
De cera (On wax)
De operatione cere in medicina (On the effect of wax in medicine)
De melle (On honey)
De diverso mellis genere (On the different kinds of honey)
De mellis electione et probatione (On the selection and testing of honey)
De operatione mellis in cibo et medicina (On the effect of honey in food and medicine)
De diversificatione mellis multimoda (On the many varieties of honey)
De aqua mulsa ceterisque poculis mellicis (On molasses and other honey cups)
De melle venenoso (On poisonous honey)
De alvearibus apum fabricandis atque purgandis (On building and cleaning beehives)
De alvearibus apum castrandis (On extracting honey from beehives)
De utilitate ipsorum alvearium in medicinis (On the usefulness of the hives themselves in medicine)
De his que contraria sunt apibus vel nociva (On things that are contrary to or harmful to bees)
De morbis apum (On diseases of bees)
De aranea (On the spider)
De aranearum generatione (On the breeding of spiders)
De venatione aranee (On the hunting methods of spiders)
De diversis aranee generibus (On the different types of spiders)
De morsu aranee (On the bite of spiders)
De tela aranee (On spider webs)
De bibione et blattis (On the bibione and moth)
De bombyce (On the silkworm)
De brucho (On the caterpillar)
De bufone ac bupreste (On the frog and the buprestis)
De cantharida (On the cantharis)
De virtute cantharidum in medicina (On the virtue of the cantharidum in medicine)
De ceruleo ac cervo volante (On the ceruleum and the stag-beetle)
De cicada (On the cicada)
De cicendela et cimice ac costro [5] (On the glow-worm and the bedbug and the costro)
De culice (On the gnat)
De his quibus effugantur culices et necantur (On the things by which gnats are repelled and killed)
De cynomyia (On the dog-fly)
De engula et eruca (On the tick and the caterpillar)
De formica (On the ant)
De formice solertia (On the cunning of the ant)
De his que contraria sunt formicis (On things that are contrary to ants)
De maioribus formicis (On the larger ants)
De formicoleone (On the ant-lion)
De fuco (On the drone bee)
De grillo et gurgulione (On the cricket and the weevil)
De lanifico et limace (On the silkworm and the slug)
De locuste (On the locust)
De generatione locustarum (On the breeding of locusts)
De nocumentis earum (On their harm)
De remediis contra eas (On remedies against them)
De medicinis ex corporibus locustarum (On medicines from the bodies of locusts)
De lumbrico (On the earthworm)
De multipede (On centipede)
De musaraneo (On the shrew)
De musca (On the fly)
De eodem (Also on the fly)
De ophimacho (On the opimacus)
De papilione (On the butterfly)
De pediculo (On the louse)
De pulice (On the flea)
De pyrali et rana et ricino (On the fly and the frog and the dog-fly)
De rutela (On the frog)
De sanguisuga (On the leech)
De operatione illius in medicina (On its effect in medicine)
De scabrone (On the hornet)
De scarabeo [6] (On the scarab)
De cyniphe (On the gnat)
De scorpione (On the scorpion)
De diversis speciebus scorpionum et morsibus vel ictibus eorum (On the different species of scorpions and their bites or stings)
De accidentibus puncture vel morsus scorpionis (On the accidents of puncture or scorpion bites)
De remediis contra scorpiones ac medicinis eorum (On the remedies against scorpions and their medicines)
De his quibus puncture morsus sanantur (On those by which puncture bites are healed)
De medicinis ex ipsis scorpionibus (On the medicines from the scorpions themselves)
De seta et simultate [7] ac solifuga (On the seta and the simultate and the salpuga)
De phalangio (On the spider)
De spoliatore colubri ac stella [8] (On the spoliator colubri and the salamander)
De tabano (On the horse-fly)
De thamur et tabula (On the thamur and the tapula)
De teredine (On the woodworm)
De testudine (On the tortoise)
De quadruplici testudinum genere (On the four kinds of tortoises)
De tinea (On the clothes-moth)
De vespa (On the wasp)
De diversis generibus vesparum (On the different kinds of wasps)
De cibis et mansionibus ipsarum (On their food and habitats)
De generatione ipsarum (On their breeding)
De punctionibus earum (On their punctures)

Notes on Reptile/Snake/Insects chapters

[1] Afferato and affudio do not appear to be specific snakes, but rather kinds of snakes: afferato are jumping snakes and affudio are flying snakes.

[2] Glandosa is unknown. It is a serpent whose bite causes blisters. It is possibly the uria.

[3] Tarante is probably not a specific snake, but rather snakes from the Italian town of Taranto. Quoting the Physiologus, the text says "In Taranto, the snakes are of moderate size...".

[4] Tyriaca is a medicine prepared from the flesh of the tyrus serpent. It is a cure for most snake bites.

[5] Costro is unknown.

[6] It is not clear if the name scarabeo is intended to refer specifically to the scarab beetle or to beetles in general..

[7] Simultate is unknown. Quoting Papias, the text says "Simulta is a worm on the head of an animal with horns, moving it to strike with its horns." Possibly the worm found in the head of the wether.

[8] Stella is a name usually used for the newt. Vincent quotes Thomas of Cantimpré (who quotes Pliny the Elder) in his chapter on the salamander for his description of this worm. It is not clear if either Pliny or Thomas were actually referring to the salamander.