6 Linnean Society. [Dec. 5, 



new, or of great importance, they furnish several valuable data con- 

 nected with, perhaps, the most remarkable year in the life of Linn^ ; 

 they exhibit, in various points, traces of the peculiar naivete of his 

 style, and are therefore, in respect to character alone, not without 

 their value. 



The annotations are written on ten pages, interleaved in an alma- 

 nac having the following title : "Almanaeh paAhret efter JesuChristi 

 naderika Fodelse 1735- Til Skara Horizont, etc. Utreknad och steld 

 af Birger Vassenio, samt vidare fortsattjande af underrettelsen til 

 Retta Tanckar am thenna SynligaWerldennes Systemate, allar Sam- 

 manhang. — Skara, Herm. Arnold MoUer." 16mo. (Almanac for the 

 year 1735 from the gracious birth of .1. C. For the horizon of Skara, 

 &c. Calculated and regulated by Birger Vassenius, together with 

 further instructions concerning right ideas of the system or structure 

 of this visible world.) 



The volume is quite complete and well-preserved. It appears, 

 even during Linnseus's lifetime, to have come into the possession of 

 strangers, and to have been taken into the country and used there, 

 through a succession of years, in lieu of a new almanac ; for we 

 find, in three several places, remarks made by peasants' wives on 

 sundry matters. One of its latest male or female owners has even 

 altered with ink the year printed on the title-page for that of 1765. 

 Thus the little brochure has passed into the possession of several 

 individuals, without any of them being aware, or caring, by whom 

 the many notes were added. These notes are numerous, and 

 constitute almost an entire diary, during the first months of the 

 year ; after which they become less and less frequent, ceasing alto- 

 gether in the months of October and November. The complaint 

 of A. Afzelius (in Linne's Eg. Ant * pi. loc.,), that it is difficult to 

 decipher the handwriting of Linnseus, is often verified here. Yet I 

 think I have hit on the right meaning in most instances. With 

 respect to some of the most difficult places. Professor J. H. Schroder 

 has afforded me explanation with his accustomed sagacity. 



The notes are now published with as much accuracy as was pos- 

 sible, even as to spelling and grammar. The words which have 

 been added by way of explanation are included within brackets. 

 Italics indicate that abbreviations have been filled up f. A few notes 

 have been subjoined. 



* Linnaeus's Personal Notes, edited by A. Afzelius. — N. W. 

 t Except on the first mention of a name, I have thought it best to leave 

 the abbreviations unsupphed. — N.W, 



