| Historia Naturalis Brasiliae | |
|---|---|
Cover of the first edition |
|
| Author(s) | Willem Piso |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Language | latin |
| Genre(s) | scientific |
| Publisher | Joannes de Laet |
| Publication date | 1648 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 293 pp |
| ISBN | N/A |
Historia Naturalis Brasiliae (Latin: Brazilian Natural History) is the first scientific book about Brazil, written by Dutch naturalist Willem Piso and published in 1648.[1] Piso makes use of observations made by the German naturalists Georg Marcgrave, and H. Gralitzio, in addition to John de Laet. It was dedicated to John Maurice, Count of Nassau.
It is based on Piso's trip to Brazil in 1637 and offers an important early western insight into Brazilian flora and fauna by analysing plants and animals and studying tropical diseases and indigenous therapies.