SIR CHARLES LINNJEUS. 27 



altogether infused by him into the university. The 

 number of students was usually about 500, but during 

 the year 1759, when Linnaeus was rector, the number 

 had grown to 1,500, and to profit by the instruction 

 of so able a teacher, students had gone from England, 

 Bussia, and even America. 



He gave lectures on botany, natural history, the 

 medicinal virtues of plants, the Materia Medica, and 

 on the dietetics and knowledge of diseases. One of 

 his most eminent students said of him : " Science 

 streamed with peculiar pleasantness from his lips. 

 He spoke with a conviction and perspicuity, which 

 his deep penetration, his clear notions, and ardent 

 zeal inspired him with. It was impossible to be 

 near him without attention, without participating in 

 Ins enthusiasm. He communicated to his pupils the 

 greatest part of the ideas and materials of the thirty 

 disputations which were held under him till the year 

 1750. They contained real treasures and elucidations 

 of science. " 



Not only did Linnaeus make valuable additions to 

 botanical literature at this time but he published a 

 description of the Swedish animals, birds, insects, and 

 other branches of natural history. 



Honours now followed each other quickly. A 

 medal was struck, showing on one side a bust of 

 Linnaeiis, and on the other a flattering inscription. 



His father died at the age of seventy-four, in 1748, 

 and a year before that time his son, whom he had 

 at one time designed for a shoemaker, was made 

 Dean of the College of Physicians. 



