26 MEMOIR OF GESNER. 



these riches of nature, he was often wont to spend 

 his time, seeking tranquillity of mind from the con- 

 templation of them, and refreshing himself after the 

 numerous toils and vexations of life, from which the 

 best are not exempted.* As a necessary adjunct 

 to this museum, he now enlarged and enriched his 



' o 



botanic garden, stimulated thereto by having wit- 

 nessed the superiority of that of Didymus Obrecht 

 at Strasburg. He obtained rare plants from most 

 parts of Europe, in particular from France, Italy, 

 Britain, Germany, and Poland, and it contained 

 many of the most curious kinds found in his own 

 country, which is of such great interest in this re- 

 spect, as well as in most other of its natural 

 features. 



Towards the close of 1560, his health again gave 

 way; he was afflicted with severe pain in the 

 limbs, and almost entirely lost the use of his right 

 leg. Having tried various remedies, without de- 

 riving much benefit, he again repaired to Baden, 

 and the baths so far restored him, that he was able, 

 in the beginning of 1561, to visit many different 

 parts, both of Germany and Switzerland. He tra- 

 versed the Rhetian Alps, ascended Mount Braulius, 

 and penetrated into several of the most retired parts 

 of the country. Part of the Venetian territory was 

 likewise included in this extended expedition, the 

 chief object of which was the improvement of his 

 health, one, however, quite compatible with the 

 study of botany, which he prosecuted with unwea- 

 * Schmieders Vita Conradi Gesneri, p. xxiii. 



