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Leiden, Jansson Vander Aa, 1727. 2 vols (bound in one). 4to (225 x 175 mm). pp. (xxxviii, without blank *4, as is always the case), 320; (ii), 270, (18), with engraved vignettes on titles, folding engraved plan of the Leiden garden, and 39 engraved plates (some double-page). Contemporary vellum (old rebacking with recent label).

First edition, second issue (first, 1720, differing only in imprint and date) of Boerhaave's great catalogue of plants in the Leiden botanic gardens, in which some 5846 species are described. The work is the sequel to the 1710 catalogue, which contained descriptions of c. 3700 plants. The work is prefaced with a brief history of the gardens, which Boerhaave became curator of in 1709. Between his appointment and the appearance of the present work he had added some 2000 new species of plants, many being South African and North American. The Hunt catalogue describes the Index as 'a monumental work..., provided with generic descriptions, correlated polynomial specific names, detailed synonymy and engraved plates. The general arrangement derives from Hermann, Ray and Tournefort but has its own features... of interest as the last comprehensive work with generic descriptions published before Linnaeus 'Genera plantarum of 1737' (Hunt Catalogue II. part I. pp. liv-lv). The plates depict newly discovered species, including 24 proteas. These were based on paintings Boerhaave had obtained from Jan Hartog, superintendent of the Company's garden at the Cape. These were later used by Weinmann in his Phytanthoza iconographia (Ratisbon 1737-45). The paintings are now in the Rijksherbarium, Leiden (see M. Gunn and L.E. Codd, Botanical exploration of South Africa pp. 41-43). A fine copy, the title page of the second volume with some slight marginal staining, some contemporary notes in neat handwriting.

Lindeboom 436; Nissen BBI, 186; Johnston 345; Stafleu and Cowan TL2 593; see H. Veendorp and Baas Becking, The development of the gardens of Leyden University 1937, chapter V.