“ THEOPHRASTUS, the successor of Aristotle in the Peripatetic school, a native of Eresus in Lesbos, was born c. 372 B.C. His original name was Tyrtamus, but he later became known by the nickname "Theophrastus," given to him, it is said, by Aristotle to indicate the grace of his conversation. After receiving his first introduction to philosophy in Lesbos from one Leucippus or Alcippus, he proceeded to Athens, and became a member of the Platonic circle. After Plato’s death he attached himself to Aristotle, and in all probability accompanied him to Stagira. ”

“ The most important of his books are two large botanical treatises, On the History of Plants, in nine books (originally ten) , and On the Causes of Plants, in six books (originally eight) , which constitute the most important contribution to botanical science during antiquity and the middle ages. We also possess in fragments a History of Physics, a treatise On Stones, and a work On Sensation, and certain metaphysical Ἀπορίαι, which probably once formed art of a systematic treatise. ”