Analyse d’ouvrage / Book review

Ommen K. van (ed.) 2009. — Th e Exotic World of proved editorial process, well and stirringly illustrated Carolus Clusius (1526-1609). Catalogue of an exhi- here by the Clusius’ personal copies carefully annotated bition on the quatercentenary of Clusius’ death, 4 by himself at the end of his long life (p. 41-43). His April 2009, with an introductory essay by Florike concerns were also to deal with European and exotic Egmond. Kleine publicaties van de Leidse Univer- fl oras in separate works, to translate botanical and siteitsbibliotheek 80. University Library, Lei- pharmacological studies (e.g., about America) from den, 120 p., 44 fi gs, 1 colour portrait as a fron- vernacular languages into Latin, and to carry out short tispiece. ethnobotanical inquiries whenever feasible. His main ISSN 0921-9293, volume 80. aim was to get best documented specimens, and for Format: 20.9 × 14.8 cm. Price: 15.95 €. achieving this purpose he wrote several recommendations to the collectors, unfortunately with few results. Th is erudite yet nice booklet was published on the oc- Th e zoological chapter (p. 88-99) shows similar casion of the quatercentenary of the death of Charles problems Clusius already met in : scarcity of de l’Écluse (Carolus Clusius), and might be considered complete and well-preserved specimens, as well as good as a detailed historical introduction to the original illustrations. Th ese diffi culties were increased by lack “Clusius garden”, just beautifully reconstructed the of reliable information about the right behaviour and last year at Leiden, in its original place. breeding possibility. Th e book is divided in two unequal parts: a bio- As a result of his numerous travels throughout Eu- graphical sketch by Florike Egmond (p. 7-12), and rope (studying, working and/or botanizing in , the actual catalogue (p. 14-99), which is arranged in England, France, Germany, Hungary, , three chapters dealing with the of Portugal and ), he got in touch with a tremen- Leiden, the Clusius’ publications and the “Exotica”, dous number of correspondents (probably more than i.e. all plants and animals brought from outside of 300), and he could keep effi cient contacts along his Europe by travellers and ships, and already more or long and active life. He reinforced also successfully his less known at the end of the 16th century. own “Web” by his close relationships with aristocracy A careful selection of 44 documents, very diverse in (he was himself of low nobility) and shipowners. As fi gure (water colour plates, engravings, letters, and some emphasized by Paul Kessler, in his foreword, Clusius specimens), alternates with concise comments by 14 was a “famous networker”. specialists, further briefl y introduced in a conclusive Since 2004 his incredibly rich correspondence is part (p. 100-102). A rich bibliography is provided analyzed by the members of the Clusius Research including primary sources and secondary literature. Project, initiated by the Scaliger Institute at Leiden An index makes still easier the use of this study. University, and supported by NOW, it should be Th e most interesting remarks concern with the work made accessible via the Internet in a near future. New method of Clusius, amazingly modern in scope. With insights about the birth of modern botany should the expansion of the printing, a need arose for an im- undoubtedly evolve from their study. Th ierry Deroin

ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2010 • 32 (1) © Publications Scientifi ques du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. www.adansonia.com 145