or ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER, a celebrated botanist of the sixteenth century. He was born in Africa, being of Portuguese descent; and, in order to perfect himself in the knowledge of simples, went into Asia, where he was taken prisoner; but he found means to make his escape, and, after several voyages, practised physic at Burgos. He wrote, 1. A Treatise on Indian Drugs and Medicines; 2. Voyages to the Indies; 3. A book in praise of women; and other works.