Publication of this work was widely anticipated as a guide to the “fountain of youth.” Hernandez enjoyed the reputation of being the “Pliny of the New World.” The result transformed Old World natural history. In Galileo’s world, European progress in the life sciences directly depended upon the natural knowledge of the natives of central Mexico. This monumental natural history of Mexico incorporated approximately 800 woodcut illustrations. Cesi and the Lynx issued a few preliminary printed drafts in 1628. Francesco Stelluti finally printed an official first edition in 1651. The OU copy consists of original sheets of the 1628 printing bound together with several portions of the 1651 printing, including the first few pages.