BOCCONI, PAOLO (SILVIO). - Born in Palermo on 24 April 1633, died there on 22 December 1704. He was a distinguished naturalist and an excellent botanist, who acquired his extensive learning chiefly through long journeys throughout Europe, in accordance with the fashion of his age. After these travels, he published numerous works which won him great fame throughout Europe. He was consequently appointed botanist to Ferdinando II, Grand Duke of Tuscany. In 1682, following his ardent vocation, he took the Cistercian habit in Florence, while always continuing with zeal his favourite studies. Having assumed the name Silvio in religion, he published new works under that name. After his death, certain foreign authors advanced vague accusations of plagiarism, all of which, however, proved unfounded.
Among his numerous works the following should be remembered: Icones et descriptions variorum plantarum, Siciliae, Melitae, Galliae et Italiae, etc. (Oxford 1664 and Lyons 1674); Della pietra belzuar minerale siciliana (Monteleone 1669); Recherches et observations naturelles (Amsterdam 1674); Osservazioni naturali (Bologna 1684); Museo di fisica e di esperienza (Venice 1697); Museo di fisica (ibid. 1697); Epistolae botanicae (Paris 1672), etc.
Also worthy of mention is a small work of a didactic-administrative character entitled Noviziato alla Segreteria, published in Genoa in 1669, as well as a group of important original observations Sul corallo. Among other works, the Storia naturale della Corsica remained in manuscript.