nature

Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus) {AD 23 - 79} gave hops its botanical name. He was a naturalist of sorts. He died while observing Mt Vesuvius. He wrote a encyclopedia type collection of understandings and observations. I read the below passage this morning.

The nature of living creatures in the world is as important as the study of almost any other field, 
even though the human mind is not able to pursue all aspects of the subject...Pride of place will rightly be given to one for whose benefit NATURE appears to have created everything else...
Her very many gifts, however, are bestowed at a cruel price...
so that we cannot confidently say whether she is a good parent to mankind or a harsh stepmother
isbn # 978-0-14-044413-1

russian river brewery also makes a mean beer in his name sake pliny the elder.