k 



LINN^US. 85 



reat Britain that was subsequently arranged ac- 

 cording to the Linnsean system. Dr. Shaw, the 

 Oriental traveller, Professor Martyn, Peter Collin- 

 son, and many other men of true science, received 

 Linnaeus consistently with his testimonials, and 

 admiring his genius, forwarded his objects by all 

 the means in their power, and, on his return to 

 the Continent, continued to correspond with him 

 on subjects of mutual interest in science. 



From London our traveller proceeded to Oxford, 

 where he paid his respects to the celebrated 

 Dillenius, justly considered one of the first 

 botanists of the time. This learned man was not 

 by any means disposed to regard Linnaeus favour- 

 ably. He had received from Gronovius a sheet of 

 the " Genera Plantarum," and conceiving it to be 

 written in opposition to him, was irate, and, point- 

 ing to the young Swede, said to a gentleman who 

 chanced to be in his company at the moment of 

 Linnaeus's entry, " See, this is the young man who 

 confounds all botany!" Linnaeus did not under- 

 stand English, but the word " confound," so similar 

 to the Latin confundere^ let him into the secret of 

 the professor's words. He, however, showed no 

 sign of comprehending him. 



Linnaeus almost despaired of gaining the friend- 

 ship of this learned man, and obtaining from him 

 the plants he wanted. At length, on the third day 

 of his visit to Oxford, he went to take leave of 

 Dillenius, and, in parting, said, " I have but one 

 request to make of you ; will you tell me why you 



