For the language implicitly underlying the mnemonics, I would in the first place consider Latin. If the makers were schooled in Italy, then chances are they learned Latin through study of Ovid (among other authors of course, but in this period Ovid was extremely popular in schools). This means that they were familiar with the Latin text on a linguistic level, they had spent time and effort studying its words. For this reason, I think a Latin wordt might be prompted at the sight of the mnemonic. Though this is, of course, not certain until we know what exactly is going on in this section!
Whatever the case may be, I think there are a few arguments against ordering by initial letter. One being that the plants tend to be thematically similar per page. Go through the section and you will notice: some pages are all roots, some are very green, others in between, others are very thick in symbolical imagery. The ordering appears to be by type, both botanically and in the extent of symbolism.
I think you are definitely right that it's not all about Hercules. The next step I would like to take is to find out first which other mnemonics are applied, which folios are "affected", what their original order might have been, if there is some sequence... But I must admit I am easily discouraged by this kind of exercise nowadays. I am struggling with the fact that it necessarily moves into the realm of speculation and is easily (and perhaps rightfully) dismissed. I haven't figured out yet how to deal with the conflict between the obvious presence of symbolism and the uncertainty of their correct interpretation.
Whatever the case may be, I think there are a few arguments against ordering by initial letter. One being that the plants tend to be thematically similar per page. Go through the section and you will notice: some pages are all roots, some are very green, others in between, others are very thick in symbolical imagery. The ordering appears to be by type, both botanically and in the extent of symbolism.
I think you are definitely right that it's not all about Hercules. The next step I would like to take is to find out first which other mnemonics are applied, which folios are "affected", what their original order might have been, if there is some sequence... But I must admit I am easily discouraged by this kind of exercise nowadays. I am struggling with the fact that it necessarily moves into the realm of speculation and is easily (and perhaps rightfully) dismissed. I haven't figured out yet how to deal with the conflict between the obvious presence of symbolism and the uncertainty of their correct interpretation.