MEMOIR OF GESNER, 33 



favourite work on plants, and likewise another on 

 the nature of stones and fossils. 



Although the pestilence had abated, it had 

 never entirely left Zurich and its neighbourhood, 

 and about the middle of July, 1565, it again 

 broke out in that city with greater virulence than 

 before. Gesner witnessed its approach with tran- 

 quillity ; but his presentiment again returned, and 

 he endeavoured to make preparation for the great 

 change which he believed to be near. He was 

 seized with the disorder on the 9th of Decem- 

 ber, when it had a second time greatly moderated, 

 and he had again almost overcome his apprehen- 

 sions. A large pestilential carbuncle made its ap- 

 pearance under his right arm, but it was accom- 

 panied with no pain in the head, fever, or other 

 bad symptom. His strength was so little reduced, 

 that he continued to walk about his apartment, 

 only reclining occasionally on a couch. But he 

 had seen many die with precisely the same symp- 

 toms, and from the first he indulged no expecta- 

 tions of recovery. He therefore called together 

 his friends, and delivered to them his will, in 

 which he made some provision for his wife and 

 nephews, and appointed his only surviving sister 

 his heiress. His library and manuscripts were en- 

 trusted to Caspar "Wolf, formerly his pupil, and 

 latterly his colleague, with injunctions that his 

 writings should be carefully perused and arranged, 

 and such of them published as were likely to be 

 serviceable. 



