The Latinized form of the name of Aldrovandi of Bologna (1522-1607), a naturalist of enormous industry, who spent some sixty years over a monumental work on natural history in all its branches, the greater part of which was not published till after his death. Buffon admits that it has merits, if it were one-tenth the size.
'I see him' says Buffon, 'in his library reading ancients, moderns, philosophers, theologians, jurisconsults, historians, travellers, poets — only to catch a word or phrase remotely connected with his subject: copying their remarks, ranging them in alphabetical order, storing his note-books, and then beginning his work, determined that no scrap that he has gathered shall be lost.'
Swift represents this gigantic work, which he may have seen cumbering the shelves of the Royal Library, as its author's tomb.