Gemini crossed arms imagery

[-JKP-]

A high proportion of herbal literature originated in the east and central Mediterranean and was brought to Lombardy (when it was larger and included Florence, Rome, and part of the Veneto) via land and sea (mostly sea, as far as I can tell from reading about it, although some may have come through Monte Cassino via Naples and Salerno). From there, they were copied throughout Europe.

Some herbal manuscripts were also brought more directly from the Mediterranean (and Middle East) to England, as a result of the crusades.

So... the illustrative traditions for each portion of the VMS (depending on subject matter), may have different origins and means of transmission (in fact, I'm fairly sure they do).