THE PHYTOLOGIST 



FOR 1852. 



Biographical Sketches of Dr. C. F. Ecklon arid M. C. L. P. Zeyher. 

 By M. Berthold Seemann, Naturalist to H.M.S. * Herald.' 



In an age like the present, when the personal history of those who 

 have distinguished themselves in the advancement of the arts, or ex- 

 tended the boundaries of science, is thought indispensable in order to 

 form a due estimate of their labours, any authentic information rela- 

 tive to the life of such men must be welcome. I have therefore no 

 hesitation in giving publicity to a few notes respecting two indivi- 

 duals, whose names are for ever identified with the Flora of Southern 

 Africa. 



C. F. Ecklon. 



Christian Frederick Ecklon was born on the 17th of December, 

 1795, in Apenrade, Duchy of Schleswig. Dr. Neuber, a physician 

 of some reputation, undertook his education, and also instructed him 

 in botany. The latter became his favourite science, and, having be- 

 come an apothecary, he had ample opportunity of cultivating it suc- 

 cessfully. In October, 1823, he went to the Cape of Good Hope, 

 where he had been engaged as assistant. He occupied the post four 

 years, and took advantage of the position, by exploring the flora of 

 the neighbourhood. The more he studied the productions of that 

 region the more his fondness for them increased ; and at last he deter- 

 mined to abandon his original profession, and devote himself entirely 

 to natural history. 



The resolution was carried into effect. In 1828 he returned to Eu- 

 rope, and placed his collections in the hands of Danish and German 

 botanists, who described the greater portion in different volumes of 

 the ' Linnaea.' The success with which his endeavours had been 

 attended prompted him to make preparations for a second voyage. 

 Several circumstances favoured this plan. Professors Hornemann and 

 Reinhardt, who bad always taken a lively interest in his pursuits, now 

 VOL. IV. 3 E 



