the losse of whom _Caius_ lamented, not so much as he was his faithfull friende, as for that he was a famous Philosopher, and yet the former reason (being, in very deede, vehement and forceable) did stinge him with more griefe, then he peraduenture was willing to disclose. And though death be counted terrible for the time, and consequently vnhappy, yet _Caius_ aduoucheth the death of _Gesner_ most blessed, luckie, and fortunate, as in his Booke intituled _De libris proprijs_ appeareth. But of these two Eagles sufficient is spoken as I suppose, and yet litle enough in consideration of their dignitie and worthines. Neurthelesse litle or mickle, something or nothing, substaunce or shadow take all in good part, my meaning is by a fewe wordes to wynne credit to this worke, not so much for mine owne Englishe Translation as for the singuler commendation of them, challenged of dutie and desart. Wherefore gentle Reader I commit them to thy memorie, and their bookes to thy courteous censure. They were both learned men, and painefull practitioners in their professions, so much the more therfore are their workes worthy estimation, I would it were in me to aduaunce them as I wishe, the worst (and yet both, no doubt, excellent) hath deserued a monument of immortality. Well there is no more to be added but this, that as the translatiõ of this booke was attempted, finished, and published of goodwill (not onely to minister pleasure, as to affoord profit) so it is my desire and request that my labour therin employed may be acceptable, as I hope it shalbe to men of indifferent Judgement. As for such as shall snarr and snatch at the Englishe abridgement, and teare the Translatour, being absent, with the teeth of spightfull enuye, I conclude in breuity there eloquence is but currishe, if I serue in their meate with wrong sawce, ascribe it not to vnskilfulnesse in coquery, but to ignoraunce in their diet, for as the Poet sayeth _Non satis est ars sola coquo, seruire palato:_ _Nanque coquus dontini debet habere gulam:_ It is not enough that a cooke vnderstand, Except his Lordes stomack he holde in his hand. To winde vp all in a watcheworde I saye no more, But doe well, and Farewell, His and his Friendes, Abraham Fleming. The first Section of this _discourse_. ¶ The Preamble or entraunce, into this treatise. I wrote vnto you (well beloued friende _Gesner_) not many yeares past, a manifolde historie, contayning the diuers formes and figures of Beastes, Byrdes, and Fyshes, the sundry shapes of plantes, and the fashions of Hearbes, &c.