DELLA PORTA (Giambattista). Phytognomonica octo libris contenta. Naples, Orazio Salviani, 1588. In-folio, stiff vellum, double cold fillet, smooth spine decorated with cold fillets (Binding of the period). First edition of this rare and curious work, the purpose of which is to reveal the secret analogies between the physiognomy of plants and higher forms of life. The theory of signatures advocated by Giambattista della Porta (1535-1615) stresses that "divine Providence has formed plants in such a way as to indicate the ailments they can cure; thus the walnut, which resembles the human brain, can cure headaches" (Hunt). Very fine wood-engraved illustration, including a rich title frame, a portrait of the author in a medallion on the verso, 32 fine compositions in the text (2 of which are repeated) depicting the physiognomy of plants and their analogies with the animal kingdom and human anatomy, and numerous bands, lettrines and culs-de-lampe. A copy of the first issue, dated 1588, complete with the index, which is often missing. A copy in fine condition, bearing on the title the handwritten bookplate of Marquard von Hodenberg dated In Napoli 1595. A few stains on the binding, endpapers browned. Mortimer, Italian, n°399 - Nissen, BBI, n°463 - Hunt, I, n°158 - Durling, n°3734 - Brunet, IV, 826 - Norman, n°1724 (without index) - Adams, P-1938 (without index).