LIN.NAKUS. 181 



tion, first from the race in Adam to the Caucasian variety in Noah, then 

 the separation of Shem from Ham and Japhet, of Abraham from Lot, of 

 Isaac from Ishmael, and finally of Jacob from Esau, shows that all the 

 anterior account was intended by the writer of the Pentateuch as simply 

 introductory to tlie great object of the work, — tlie history of the chil- 

 dren of Israel. It is therefore, marked with a brevity and conciseness 

 which seem to Dr. Lamb, to prove its hieroglyphical origin. He sup- 

 poses that the writer of Genesis, would of course preserve as much as 

 possible of these records, whose antiquity gave them the highest author- 

 ity. Be this as it may, I think we must agree with Dr. Pye Smith, in 

 the observation, that "it never entered into the purpose of revelation to 

 teach men geographical facts, or any other kinds of physical know- 

 ledge." The writer gives merely a history of the dealings of God with 

 his chosen people, prefaced by a cosmogony and a genealogy of their 

 great progenitor. In these we have the revelation of religious truths of 

 primary importance. We have no right to look for more. Our duty is 

 to receive thankfully that which is vouchsafed us. It did not enter into 

 the scope of the work to teach ethnology any more than astronomy or 

 anatomy. It is a subject within the reach of the powers given us, and 

 we should exercise them upon it with honesty and humility, in the con- 

 fident assurance that no two truths ever were at variance with each oth- 

 er, but harmonize as emanations from the One Source. 



BIOGRAPHY UF LINNAEUS. 



A short sketch of the life of the distinguished naturalist, from whom 

 the Journal derives its name, will no doubt be received with favor by 

 its patrons. The truth is, very little is known of Linnaeus by the great 

 mass of readers. A fact concerning him is here and there brought to 

 light, but seldom does a full history of his life and character fall into the 

 hands of the general reader. This is to be regretted. We desire not 

 merely to hear of great men and become acquainted w-ith the important 

 discoveries which they have made ; we want to see them living and act- 

 ing before us, to hear them speak, and trace for ourselves the lineaments 

 of their characters as well as their faces. 



Charles Linnaeus was born on tlie 3d of iVIay, 1707, in the little vil- 

 lage of Rashult, in Smaland, a province in that part of Sweden adjacent 

 to Deimiark. His father was descended from a race of peasants, some 

 of wliom had relinquished their occupations for literary pursuits, and 

 according to the Swedish custom, had changed his name for one suggest- 

 ed by some external circumstance. A flourishing linden or hme-trce on 



