196 Linnean Society, [May 24, 



this last occasion with a view to the recovery of his health. In 

 1821 he was appointed Professor of Botany in the University of 

 Copenhagen, and it is in his relation to that science that we have 

 chiefly to consider him. To systematic botany he does not appear 

 to have paid much attention. Neither did he meddle with the in- 

 ternal structure of plants, their anatomy and physiology. But to 

 the study of the geographical, physical, and we may add also, the 

 economical relations of plants, he devoted himself with an ardour 

 and success that have scarcely been surpassed. Making the well- 

 known essay of Humboldt the starting-point of his own investigations, 

 he published a series of works on this interesting branch of botanical 

 science, of which the principal, independently of the inaugural dis- 

 sertation above mentioned, are the following : the titles of the 

 German translations of those which were originally published in 

 Danish are given, as better known in this country than the originals. 

 • Grundziige einer AUgemeinen Pflanzen-Geographie,' 8vo, Berlin, 

 1823, together with a ' Pflanzengeographischer Atlas,' fol., ibid., 

 1824 ; ' Schilderungen der Witterungszustande Danemarks,' a prize 

 essay published in 1826; ' Ober die Unveranderlichkeit der Climate;' 

 ' tlber den Mittelstand dcs Barometers iiber dem Meere ; ' ' Speci- 

 men Geographise Physices Comparatse,' 4to, Havn. 1828 ; 'Tableau 

 du Climat et de la Vegetation de I'ltalie,' 4to, Copenhagen, 1839 ; 

 together with many classical essays, instructive monographs, and 

 interesting sketches which appeared in various journals. Like his 

 great countryman Oersted, he took peculiar pleasure in making 

 scientific inquiries accessible and intelligible to the world at large, 

 and possessed a rare talent for popularizing scientific details. As speci- 

 mens of this talent may be quoted his ' Europa, eine leichtfassliche 

 Naturschilderung,' 8vo, Kopenh. 1833; his ' Naturschilderungen,' 

 of which two collections appeared in 1839 and 1845 ; and many 

 smaller essays. About 1831 he commenced taking an active part in 

 politics, and gradually became one of the leaders of the moderate 

 opposition in the Provincial States. In this position he conducted 

 himself with so much prudence, honour and good sense as to gain 

 the respect of all parties, and to induce the King himself, Frederic VI., 

 in the year 1 834, to name him the Royal Deputy of the University 

 of Copenhagen. The states both of Zeeland and Jutland chose him 

 as their almost permanent President, and the evident sincerity of 

 his convictions, the perspicuity of his language, the quiet mildness 

 of his deportment and his engaging manners, secured him the esteem 

 even of his opponents. His last published work is a selection from 

 his ' Schilderungen,' with numerous additions, published at Leipzig 



