[译文]人类最古老的活动之一是对植物和动物的研究,特别是作为食物的来源。从远古时代起,人们不得不在一些有毒植物和无毒植物之间加以辨别。于是有关天然生长的药物的知识渐渐地增加起来了。这些知识有个时期靠口头流传,继而记载于抄本、粘土焙制的书 One of the oldest human activities is the study of plants and animals, especially as a source of food. From ancient times, people had to distinguish between some poisonous plants and non-toxic plants. As a result, knowledge about naturally growing drugs has gradually increased. This knowledge was circulated orally for a period of time and was later recorded in manuscripts and clay-baked books.