Project One
Project Two
As an archivist and lover of the history of books, I am choosing to look at these materials through the lens of an archivist and librarian, which to me means looking at the story and history behind the books.
Writing Prompt: Give a brief description of each item and how they connect to one another.
The Badianus Manuscript, 1552 (Facsimile Edition, 1940)
RS169.C7 1552a
This illustrated manuscript was the first herbarium to come out of the Americas. The original manuscript was discovered quite by accident in the Vatican Library by a Columbia University professor in the early 20th century. The illustrated Latin manuscript was titled Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis or A Book of Medicinal Indian Herbs in English and was completed in 1552. The manuscript is now more commonly known as the Codex Cruz Badianus or the Badianus Manuscript, for both the author and translator. It contains 185 illustrations of plants with text that described their medicinal uses. The drawings were completed by indigenous artists and the text was written and translated by two indigenous faculty members of the Colegio of Imperial de Santa Cruz at Tlatelolco established in 1536 to train sons of the Aztec nobility for the clergy. Martin de la Cruz and Juan Badiano (Juannes Badianus in Latin) whose Spanish names were conferred upon their baptism. Martin de la Cruz was the Colegio’s indigenous doctor who gave instruction in medicine and Juan Badiano, a Latin teacher and former student translated the book into Latin.
The herbal dedicated to the Viceroy Francisco de Mendoza was sent to Spain as a gift to King Carlos I soon after its completion in 1552. The original ended up in the Vatican Library until 1990 when then Pope John Paul II returned it to Mexico. 4
The original manuscript was created completely by hand, both the drawings and the text.
Historia plantarvm. : Earum imagines, nomenclaturae, qualitates, & natale solum. Accessere simpliciũ medicamentorum facultates, secundum locos, & genera ex Dioscoride. (1567)
QK41.D8
The title in English would translate to, “History of plants: Their images, nomenclature, qualities, and native soil. Access to the faculties of simple medicines, according to places and genera from Dioscorides.”
This was one of the earliest herbals in small pocket print format, compiled by a French translator, Antoine Du Pinet from the work of the botanist, Pietro Andrea Mattioli. Mattioli was a prolific commentator on De Materia Medica (On Medial Matter) of Dioscorides, a 5 volume Greek encyclopedia on herbal medicine from 1st century. Mattioli constantly updated his work and put out new editions, ensuring that his commentary was used well into the 18th century.
The plants are arranged alphabetically, with a woodcut per plant and their names listed with further details on location and ‘qualities’. The woodcut images have been rudimentary colored in using only about 2-3 pigments.5
Unlike the Badianus, this book was created using a printing press for the text, and woodcut prints for the illustrations.
Illustrated edition of An Atlas and Annotated List of Vascular Plants of Arkansas (1978)
Kent Bonar Materials Addendum- MC 1665a
An Arkansas florilegium: the atlas of botanist Edwin Smith (2017)
QK148.S64 2017
The atlas compiled originally by Edwin Smith was added to by Kent Bonar, a State Park naturalist who has been illustrating the flora and fauna of Arkansas since 1972. Bonar carried a copy of Smith’s book along on hikes in various parks and rambles through the woods surrounding his Newton County home, entering hundreds upon hundreds of meticulous illustrations into Smith’s work. The original has become so fragile, one too many spills in the Arkansas River, that is currently stored unbound. In 2017, the University of Arkansas Press published An Arkansas Florilegium, which was the original Atlas and Annotated List of Vascular Plants of Arkansas with the addition of Bonar’s nearly 3,500 original illustrations. Along with Bonar’s original illustrated Atlas, you can also study his field notebooks that he used to create his illustrations.6
This print book has been added to and republished with original illustrations that enhance the book, as well as tell a different story than either part could tell alone.
Project Three
As an Agriculture Librarian supporting students engaged in skills-based learning and evidence synthesis, I examine these primary sources from the perspective of a STEM student aiming to showcase their skills in a pressbook.
Assignment Prompt: Students will use a primary source from special collections alongside a peer-reviewed article to synthesize information and design a community outreach initiative. They will submit a description of the event in Pressbook format, detailing how they utilized their primary source and applied evidence synthesis methods.
Example 1: In partnership with a local art museum, the student helps curate a rare book exhibit on botanical texts and writes interpretive labels highlighting their historical significance.
Primary Source: The Badianus Manuscript, 1552 (Facsimile Edition, 1940)
RS169.C7 1552a
Assignment Entry: I worked with a local art museum to curate a rare book exhibit on botanical texts and write interpretive labels highlighting their historical significance. The title of the exhibition is “Herbarium Histories: The Art and Science of Rare Botanical Books.” I wrote five labels for five different rare books, one of them being the Badianus Manuscript (on loan to the museum from UARK special collections). As a horticulture student and work-study employee at the University of Arkansas Herbarium, I specialize in researching Arkansas flora. Using evidence synthesis, I analyzed data on native Arkansas flowers and their locations to identify five key geographical areas. I then selected rare books that highlight these plants or provide historical context on their sustainability to showcase these regions.
Skills Highlighted:
- Curation and Exhibition Design, including label writing
- Collaboration
- Historical Research
- Visual Literacy
Example 2: Student hosts a tabling for the Entomology and Plant Pathology department at the local botanical garden and distributes field guides to visitors.
Source: Kent Bonar Materials Addendum, Field Notebook with illustrations (1993-1998)
MC 1665a
Assignment Entry: I partnered with a local botanical garden to hold a tabling event, distributing field guide handouts and teaching visitors how to use them. I used the Kent Bonar Field Notebook (with illustrations) as an example template. Bonar’s scientific evidence, gathered from his field journeys and documented through his notes and illustrations, helped me refine my field guide process and effectively share this information with visitors. Each visitor at the table received a field guide along with written instructions on how to use it. I demonstrated my example field guide, modeled after Bonar’s, which highlighted the plant pathology of several species in the botanical garden. Using evidence synthesis, I combined insights from Bonar’s guide with peer-reviewed sources on field guides to develop this outreach opportunity.
Skills Highlighted:
- Public Engagement and Program Planning
- Science Communication
- Community Relations
Example 3: Student uses research on climate change impacts to create an infographic that is distributed to the campus sustainability office.
Source: Arkansas Native Plant Society Records (1980-1983)
MC 932
Assignment Entry: I created an infographic for the campus sustainability office that showcases my research on how native plants help mitigate climate change. The infographic includes opportunities for students to plant native species and choose which plants best suit their needs. To develop the content, I drew on data collected from peer-reviewed sources and a campus-based case study. My primary source was the Arkansas Native Plant Society Records, which provided insights into the promotion and use of native plants. This source guided me in effectively marketing the information, particularly to audiences unfamiliar with native plants. I analyzed which plants were emphasized by the Arkansas Native Plant Society in the 1980s and cross-referenced this with current data on native species still present today. Synthesizing this information in collaboration with the sustainability office, I designed posters that were distributed in high-traffic areas across campus.
Skills Highlighted:
- Data Visualization
- Graphic Design
- Information Literacy
- Audience Targeting
- Environmental Research
