68 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



pation, continual observation, and the produc- 

 tion of a series of articles in divers German and 

 French publications on scientific subjects, 

 abundant means to prove his efficiency as a 

 naturalist. 



Humboldt's most important literary produc- 

 tion at this period appeared in the year 1793, 

 entitled " Florse Freibergensis Specimen," or 

 "Flora of Cryptogamic * Growths in the En- 

 virons of Freiberg," the results of his obser- 

 vations in the mines of that district, especially 

 with reference to the fungi, or mushrooms, 

 which grow there ; together with the Aphorisms 

 of the chemical physiology of plants, which 

 contain his observations regarding their irri- 

 tability, the process of their nutrition, their 

 colours, &c. It may be said that even now, 

 after the remarkable changes in this branch 

 of science during the last twenty-five years, 

 Humboldt's opinion, confirmed by the clear 

 and acute manner of his early observations, 

 still deserves the highest consideration. 



Every facility was afforded to Alexander von 

 Humboldt in his scientific studies at home, and 



* A name applied to a class of plants, such as ferns, mosses, 

 sea- weeds, and fungi, in which the fructification, or organs 

 of reproduction, are concealed. Etym. : KOVTTTO^ kryptos, 

 concealed, and ya/^or, gamos, marriage. 



