6o HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



University, in his former preceptor — he of the mild 

 and gentle disposition — who kept back the doubt- 

 ful recommendation, and procured his matriculation 

 as one of his private pupils. 



At Lund, Linnaeus lodged in the house of Dr. 

 Stobaeus, professor of medicine, and physician to 

 the king. This eminent man, perceiving the 

 industry of his lodger, and his acquirements in 

 natural science, allowed him free access to his 

 excellent museum of minerals, shells, and dried 

 plants ; and, highly delighted with the idea of a 

 hortus siccus, Linnaeus immediately began to col- 

 lect all the plants which grew in the vicinity, and to 

 "glue them upon paper." Still, he was denied the 

 privilege of access to the doctor's library ; but, as 

 it fell out, he managed to obtain that also. He 

 formed an acquaintance with a fellow-lodger, a 

 young German student, who enjoyed the advantage 

 he coveted, and, in return for teaching him the 

 principles of physiology, he obtained of this youth 

 books from Stobaeus's library. He passed whole 

 nights in reading the volumes thus clandestinely 

 procured ; but it happened that the mother of 

 Stobaeus, who was infirm and ailing, lay awake 

 several nights in succession, and seeing a light 

 constantly burning in Linnaeus's room, fearful of 

 fire, desired her son to chide the young Smalander 

 for his carelessness. 



Two nights after, at midnight, the lad was sur- 

 prised by a visit from his host, who found him, to 

 his astonishment, diligently poring over his books. 



