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THE LITERARY 



mat®®® aita i#v»iiA^ 



OF THE LINN.KAN ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. 



Vol. If. MAY, 1846. No. 7. 



LINN.EI-ANA. NO. I. 



Linne, like all other natiinilists frequently made scientific tours, ta- 

 king with iiim a number of assistants. lie could well aflord to employ 

 such men, for the expenses were usually paid by the government of 

 Sweden or some distinguished noblemen, who were patrons of science. 

 Most naturalists in our day, especiallv in our own country, are obliged 

 to go alone, or to be contented with one assistant at most, to carry ham- 

 mers, gun, nets, bags and other indispensible paraphernalia. 



I will give an account of one of die great master's expeditions, or 

 rather the outfit of it, and it will be seen that he traveled like a prince 

 surrounded by a brilliant court. In 1734, he made a tour over the Swe- 

 dish Province of Dalecarlia, at the expense of Baron Nicolas Reutii- 

 ERiioLM. (I love to see the names of these Maca^nases in capitals. 

 May their memory be blessed !) A number of students requested per- 

 mission to accompany him. It was indeed a high privilege, and no won- 

 der the number of applicants was large. tie selected seven of the 

 most able and zealous, and thus established a sort of caravan of natu- 

 ralists, lie enacted certain laws and regulations, for the due observance 

 of which every member of the corps made himself answerable. Linne, 

 of course, was general of the whole expedition, and enforced his laws 

 with precise rigor. 



The following is a list of the names, with the appropriate depart- 

 ment of each, and it will be seen that scientific duties, debasing drud- 

 gery, religious functions, and menial services are all curiously blended. 



JYahe7nami was to act as geographer ; to give an accurate description 

 of all the villages, lakes, rivers, roads, and districts ; to read morning and 

 evening prayers, and to preach on Sundays. 



I like this latter feature, for naturalistsof all men should be most 

 truly devout; their pursuits constantly bring them in close communion 

 with the great God ol' the Universe, and an undevout naturalist is mad. 

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