CONRAD GESSNER

THE TIDY AQUARIUM

Conrad Gessner's "Nomenclator aquatilium animantium", which translates as "Nomenclature of the Aquatic Animals", appeared in 1560 as a handy revision of his fourth "Animal Book", the Latin fish book.

Whereas Gessner describes the animals in alphabetical order in the other animal books, he proceeds with the nomenclature systematically in the fish book. He distinguishes marine animals from freshwater animals and presents classifications based primarily on the outward appearance of the animals. Monsters known from adventure reports and images are also included. Animals which live both in the water and on land are mentioned at the end of the book.

Each treatise starts by naming the animal in different languages. This is followed by descriptions of its way of life, external appearance, and character. Finally, Gessner addresses its use as food or medicine. Each water animal features on a woodcut, which is probably one of the main reasons that the animal books and nomenclature were so popular. Only a few of the images were done by Gessner himself. Gessner thanks the numerous scholars from all over Europe who sent him drawings and descriptions in the foreword.