BOCCONI, PAOLO (SILVIO). — Born in Palermo on 24 Apr. 1633, died there on 22 Dec. 1704. He was a distinguished naturalist and an excellent botanist, who acquired his vast learning chiefly through long travels throughout Europe, in keeping with the taste of his age. After these journeys, he published numerous works that brought him clear renown throughout Europe. Thus he was appointed botanist to Ferdinand II, Grand Duke of Tuscany. In 1682, following his strong vocation, he took the Cistercian habit in Florence, continuing all the while with ardour his beloved studies. Having assumed in religion the name of Silvio, he published new works under this name. After his death, some foreign authors attempted vague accusations of plagiarism, which were however shown to be entirely unfounded.
Among his numerous works the following deserve mention: *Icones et descriptiones variarum plantarum, Siciliae, Melitae, Galliae et Italiae*, etc. (Oxford 1664 and Lyons 1674); *Della pietra belsuar minerale siciliana* (Montelone 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 remembered is a small didactic-administrative work entitled *Noviziato alla Segreteria*, published in Genoa in 1669, as well as a group of important original observations *Sul corallo*. Among his unpublished works was the *Storia naturale della Corsica*.