Mythological Basilisk, Folio with woodcut engravings. Conrad Gesner (1516-1565) Issued in: Allgemeines Thier-Buch: "Eigentliche und lebendige Abbildung Aller vierfüssigen / So wohl zahmer als wilder Thieren/ welche in allen vier Theilen der Welt /auff dem Erdboden /und in etlichen Wassern zu finden: Sampt einer außführlichen..." The Historiae animalium ("Histories of the Animals") published at Zurich was an encyclopaedic work of "an inventory of renaissance zoology" by Conrad Gesner, a doctor and professor at the Carolinum, the precursor of the University of Zurich. It is the first modern zoological work that attempts to describe all the animals known, and the first bibliography of natural history writings. Condition: Good condition. Even age toning and staining. Later hand colour. Some edge wear. View images carefully.