the natural history of reptiles. See Reptilia.

HERRERA TORDESILLAS, ANTONIO DE, a Spanish historian, the son of Roderigo de Tordesillas and Agnes de Herrera (it being the custom of that country to hear the mother's name), was born in 1565. He was at first secretary to Vespasian de Gonzaga, viceroy of Naples, but was afterwards appointed historiographer of the Indies by Philip II., who granted him a liberal pension. Whilst he held this office he wrote his General History of the Indies from 1492 to 1554, in four volumes folio. Of all the Spanish authors, Herrera is the one who has given the most exact and circumstantial recital of the conquest of Mexico, and the other events in America. Hence, to use the words of Dr Robertson, his work "furnishes the fullest and most accurate information concerning the conquest of Mexico, as well as every other transaction of America. The industry and attention with which he consulted, not only the books, but the original and public records, were so great, and he usually judges of the evidence before him with so much impartiality and candour, that his decades may be ranked among the most judicious and useful historical collections." His death, which happened at Madrid on the 29th of March 1625, prevented him from occupying the office of secretary of state, to which Philip IV. had just raised him.

Besides the work above-mentioned, Herrera wrote in Spanish—1. Description of the West Indies, Madrid, 1601, in folio; 2. History of what passed in England and in Scotland during the forty-four years of the life of Mary Stuart, queen of Scotland, Lisbon, 1590, in 12mo; 3. Five books of the History of Portugal, and the conquest of the Azores in the years 1581 and 1583, Madrid, 1591, in 4to; 4. History of the affairs of France from the year 1585 until the end of the year 1594, Madrid, 1598, in 4to; 5. History of the World under the reign of Philip II., from the year 1584 until the year 1598, Valladolid, 1608, in three vols. folio; 6. Historical Treatise, Relation, and Discourse, of the Movements which took place in Aragon in the years 1591 and 1592, in 4to; 7. Commentary on the Proceedings of the Spaniards, the French, and the Venetians, in Italy, from the year 1585 until the year 1599, Madrid, 1624, in folio.