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MEMOIR OF LINNiEUS. 



As an introduction to the tliird volume of the " American 

 Flora," we have thought it advisable to give a short and brief ac- 

 count of the life and history of the illustrious naturalist who first 

 practically pointed out the real utility of some system by which 

 the great kingdoms of nature could be properly studied and un- 

 derstood, and their advantages to man most easily procured and 

 adapted. The name of Linnaeus is known to the whole civilized 

 world ; and, if we consider the rank of his parents, the scanty 

 means possessed by them to defray the expenses of his education; 

 and what was necessary in the early part of his career, to pursue 

 his own favorite studies ; with the limited state of the botanical 

 gardens at that period, we shall think that the merit which his 

 cotemjwraries awarded him, was very justly earned. 



The principal facts introduced in the following sketch, are 

 taken from the biography by Dr. Pulteney, and the diary of Lin- 

 n«us, written in Swedish, by himself, or under his superintendence, 

 and published as an appendix to the work above mentioned. 

 From this diary we learn that Nils Linnaeus, the father of the 

 naturalist, born in 1674, was the son of a peasant named Ingemar 

 Bengtsson, in Smaland, and married Ingrid Ingemarsd otter, sister 

 of Ivan Tiliander, pastor of Pietteryd. The lattef took Nils 

 Linnajus into his house, educated him along with his own children, 

 and, having a good garden, he gave him also a taste for horticul- 

 ture. After quitting school, he was sent to the University of 

 Lund, where he had to contend with poverty, but, nevertheless, 

 applied himself diligently to his studies. Retiring to his native 

 place, he was admitted into holy orders by Bishop Cavallius, and 

 first became curate, and afterwards minister of Stenbrohult. He 

 soon after married the parson's eldest daughter, CliristinaBroder- 

 sonia, and succeeded to the charge of his father-in-law, which he 



V»l. iii.— 3 





