445 



of Europe, though not without impediments of which we 

 are hereafter to speak. In Britain it was firmly esta- 

 blished by the influence of some of the most able pupils 

 of Linnaeus, and strengthened at length by the acquisition 

 of his literary remains. But these are adventitious sup- 

 ports. The strength of philosophical, like political, au- 

 thority is in public opinion, and the cement of its power 

 is public good. 



As we proceed to trace the practical influence of the 

 Linnaean system, or ratherof the facility which it afforded, 

 in botanical studies, it will be useful at the same time to 

 observe the effects of adventitious circumstances, which 

 render botany almost a different sort of study in different 

 parts of the habitable globe. 



In those northern ungenial climates, where the intellect 

 of man indeed has flourished in its highest pei'fection, but 

 where the productions of nature are comparatively spa- 

 ringly bestowed, her laws have been most investigated 

 and best understood. The appetite of her pupils was 

 whetted by their danger of starvation, and the scantiness 

 of her supplies trained them in habits of oeconomy, and of 

 the most acute observation. The more obvious natural 

 productions of such climates are soon understood and 

 exhausted. But this very cause led Linnaeus to so minute 

 a scrutiny of Swedish insects, as had never been under- 

 taken before in any country ; in consequence of which a 

 new world, as it were, opened to his contemplation, and 

 the great Reaumur declared that Sweden was richer in this 

 department than all the rest of the globe. Such indeed 

 was its appearance, because it had been more carefully 

 examined. When the ardour and acuteness of the pupils 

 of the Linnaean school first sought matter of employment 

 for their talents, some few had the means of visiting di- 

 stant, and scarcely explored, countries ; but this could 

 not be the lot of many. The greater part were confined 

 to their native soil ; and it is remarkable that those who 

 were longest so confined, have displayed in the sequel the 



