HISTORY. » 



science of Botany, will his future fame chiefly rest. 

 So ardent did his passion for plants remain even after 

 his health had began to decline, that disease was some- 

 times pat to flight by the mere acquisition of botanical 

 treasures. He was lying ill of the gout, and unable to 

 move, when Kalm arrived from America ; but the 

 sight of the transatlantic rarities brought home by 

 this zealous collector, so much roused his spirits that 

 he soon found the use of his limbs and conquered the 

 malady."* 



And when in consequence of the infirmities of old 

 age and sickness he was unable to perform the duties 

 of his office, he found in his only son an able assistant, 

 and a worthy successor. The brilliant career of the 

 latter however was of short duration, and the Linnaean 

 treasures, since his death, have been transferred from 

 Sweden to England ; and fortunately for the science, 

 they are in the possession of the most distinguished 

 botanist! of the Island. 



To trace the progress of systematic botany from the 

 days of Linnaeus, would be to transgress the limits of 

 this Introduction. It will scarcely be deemed neces- 

 sary to mention the names of Thunberg his successor, 

 Vahl his favorite pupil, Gmelin, and Pallas of Russia, 

 Wildenow the very distinguished professor at Berlin, 

 Murray, and Hoffman of Germany, Curtis, Withering, 

 and Smith, of England, Decandolle of Geneva, Jussieu, 

 Lamark, and Desfontaines of France. Much credit is 

 due to these, and also to the worthy president of the 

 Royal Society, for his early zeal in promoting a sci- 

 ence, of which, he is at once the most judicious and the 

 most liberal patron. Nor should we omit the names of 



* Edinburgh Encyclopedia. 



t Sir J. E. Smith, President of the Linnaean Society. 



