SIR CHARLES LINNAEUS. 15 



somewhat to the already high reputation of young 

 Linnreus, placed hini for the time being in a some- 

 what unpleasant dilemma. The eminent founder of 

 the collection had for years been looked upon as 

 the fortunate possessor of one of the most marvellous 

 specimens in the whole animal world, being no less 

 a phenomenon than a serpent with seven heads. This 

 curiosity had been one of the most interesting speci- 

 mens in the museum, and great was the dismay of 

 the founders to learn, after a careful inspection by 

 Linnoeus, that the prodigy was the work of a very 

 clever taxidermist, who appears to have added to the 

 serpent's one head the jawbones of weasels artfully 

 covered with serpent's skin. 



This serpent had been lodged as security for a 

 loan of £500, and the seven heads had been readily 

 accepted as ample guarantee for the money. But 

 its value was hastily shattered, and after much con- 

 tention, it was insisted that Linna3iis should prove, 

 before a carefully-selected committee, his statements 

 respecting the serpent. This he was prepared to do; 

 but a Dr. Jaenisch advised him to leave the city at 

 once, in order to avoid delay and litigation, and this 

 he did. 



This little incident shows how imperfect was much 

 of the scientific knowledge of that day, and also shows 

 the wide knowledge of nature which Linnoeus had 

 acquired. 



He succeeded in obtaining his degree : after three 

 examinations and a public defence of his treatise, he 

 was rewarded with the dignity he so well merited. 



