VMS -- Botanical Keys

["Dana F. Scott" <dfscott@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

While studying the text of the Herbal/Botanical section of the VMS, it
seems apparent to me that a translation of the text would be near
impossible without the accompanying drawings. Imagine for a moment if we
had no drawings at all. What basis for analysis would we have to even
begin analyzing the contents of the text? It seems to me that except
possibly for an incredibly complex super-computer type analysis of the
text, probably a majority of the most likely cryptological approaches to
deciphering the VMS text have at least been considered if not exhausted.
While the drawings have of course been examined for content in an effort
to help explain the nature and subject matter of the VMS, I believe that
most (not all) of the text deencryption analysis has been performed at
the exclusion of the drawings. I would propose, however, that the
drawings are in fact critical to a successful translation of the text.
The labels associated with the small plant samples/sprigs do appear to
be a description of that type of plant structure. I believe that the
author of the VMS recognized the great diversity in plant structures and
included these samples as a kind of thumbnail reference/index to the
divers variety in plant anatomy. Notice that the work appears not to
have been completed. A number of the samples are not labeled, which may
attest to the overall complexity of the work. I would proffer that the
plants when considered together with the associated text will serve as a
type of 'key' to help us gain further insight into an
understanding/deciphering of the text.

"Leave no stone ( leaf? :) unturned."

Regards,
Dana Scott