354 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



becomes necessary to refer to the herbaria where the original 

 specimens are preserved. In this respect, the collections of 

 the early authors possess an importance far exceeding their 

 intrinsic value, since they are seldom large, and the speci- 

 mens often imperfect. 



With the introduction of the Linnsean nomenclature, a 

 rule absolutely essential to the perpetuation of its advantages 

 was also established, viz., that the name under which a genus 

 or species is first published shall be retained, except in certain 

 cases of obvious and paramount necessity. An accurate 

 determination of the Linnsean species is therefore of the first 

 importance; and this, in numerous instances, is only to be 

 attained with certainty by the inspection of the herbaria of 

 Linnaeus and those authors upon whose descriptive phrases 

 or figures he established many of his species. Our brief 

 notices will therefore naturally commence with the herbarium 

 of the immortal Linnaeus, the father of that system of nomen- 

 clature, to which botany, no less than natural histoiy in 

 general, is so greatly indebted. 



This collection, it is well known, after the death of the 

 younger Linnaeus, found its way to England, from whence it 

 is not probable that it will ever be removed. The late Sir 

 James Edward Smith, then a young medical student, and a 

 botanist of much promise, was one morning informed by Sir 

 Joseph Banks, that the heirs of the younger Linnaeus had 

 just offered him the herbarium with the other collections and 

 library of the ftither, for the sum of 1000 guineas. Sir 

 Joseph Banks not being disposed to make the purchase, re- 

 commended it to Mr Smith ; the latter, it appears, imme- 

 diately decided to risk the expectation of a moderate inde- 

 pendence, and to secure, if possible, these treasures for him- 

 self and his country ; and before the day closed had actually 

 written to Upsal, desiring a full catalogue of the collection, 

 and offering to become the purchaser at the price fixed, in 

 case it answered his expectations.* His success, as soon 



* The next day Mr Smith wrote as follows to his father, informing him 

 of the step ho had taken, and entreating his assistance:— 



