Ulisse Aldrovandi, Serpentum et Draconum Historiae

On 13 May 1572, a ‘monstrous dragon’ was found in the countryside near Bologna, Italy. Recognised as a bad omen, it was given to Ulisse Aldrovandi so that he could study it. The preserved dragon was displayed in Aldrovandi’s personal museum and was still an attraction over 100 years later. This book, The History of Serpents and Dragons, is the result of Aldrovandi’s investigation and depicted here are two types of Ethiopian dragon, distinguishable by the ridges on their backs. Shown here: pp. 422–23