122 BIOLOGY AND ITS MAKERS 



fessor in the University of Leyden, and secured for Linnaeus 

 an interview with that distinguished physician, who treated 

 him with consideration and encouraged him in his work. 

 Boerhaave was already old, and had not long to live; and 

 when Linnaeus was about to leave Holland in 1738, he ad- 

 mitted him to his sick-chamber and bade him a most affec- 

 tionate adieu, and encouraged him to further work by most 

 kindly and appreciative expressions. 



Through the influence of Boerhaave, Linnaeus became the 

 medical attendant of Cliffort, the burgomaster at Amsterdam, 

 who had a large botanic garden. Cliffort, being desirous of 

 extending his collections, sent Linnaeus to England, where 

 he met Sir Hans Sloane and other eminent scientific men of 

 Great Britain. After a short period he returned to Holland, 

 and in 1737 brought out the Genera Plantar um, a very original 

 work, containing an analysis of all the genera of plants. He 

 had previously published, besides the Sy sterna Natum, his 

 Fundamenta Botanica, 1735, and Bibliotheca Botanica, 1736, 

 and these works served to spread his fame as a botanist 

 throughout Europe. 



His Wide Recognition. An illustration of his wide rec- 

 ognition is afforded by an anecdote of his first visit to Paris 

 in 1738. " On his arrival he went first to the Garden of 

 Plants, where Bernard de Jussieu was describing some 

 exotics in Latin. He entered without opportunity to intro- 

 duce himself. There was one plant which the demonstrator 

 had not yet determined, and which seemed to puzzle him. 

 The Swede looked on in silence, but observing the hesitation 

 of the learned professor, cried out l Hcec planta jaciem Amc- 

 ricanam habet.' ' It has the appearance of an American plant.' 

 Jussieu, surprised, turned about quickly and exclaimed 'You 

 are Linnaeus.' 'I am, sir,' was the reply. The lecture was 

 stopped, and Bernard gave the learned stranger an affec- 

 tionate welcome." 



