ROSEN VICTOR 203 



mining districts for the purpose of investigating and 

 arranging the minerals of his native country, where he 

 visited Norberg, Bispberg, Afvestad, Garpenberg, a sort 

 of quadrilateral of mines, and the iron-foundries, mines, 

 and town of Falun, which place he has memorialised 

 by his Lichen Faluniensis, a production more resem- 

 bling some ramifications of the neighbouring copper 

 ores than anything of vegetable origin. Linnaeus was 

 received in this rich but desolate mining district with 

 the most flattering distinction, and attentions were 

 paid him which were heard of in Upsala. He was in- 

 troduced to Baron Reuterholm, the governor of the 

 province, who requested Linnaeus to undertake, at his 

 (Reuterholm's) expense, a journey all over Dalecarlia, 

 with other naturalists, to survey the physical produc- 

 tions of that province. 1 



Reuterholm delighted in the study of nature, and 

 chiefly spent his leisure hours with the productions of 

 the mines. His charge as director of the mines became 

 more lucrative in proportion to his knowledge of their 

 produce. He also wished his sons to learn these things, 

 and he rejoiced in their rapid liking for the gifted young 

 stranger, and encouraged their intimacy. Baron Reu- 

 terholm was himself charmed with the enthusiastic 

 young man who descended the mines by day and passed 

 the night in the foundries by the furnaces. So practical, 

 too, he was, that, not satisfied with discovery, he at 

 once sought to put every material to use. ' It is not the 

 'Diary. 



