136 Natural History, 



to decline. As the works of the illustrious philo- 

 sopher of Upsal increased in number and circula- 

 tion, the weight and superiority of his opinions 

 were gradually manifested, until at length, the 

 public adoption of the Linnaean system, by Profes- 

 sor Martyn, of Cambridge, and Professor Hope, 

 of Edinburgh; the adaptation of Ray's Flora An- 

 glicana to this arrangement, by Hudson, about 

 the year 1760; and, finally, the favourable recep- 

 tion given to the Swedish doctrines by the College 

 of Physicians of London, completed the establish- 

 ment of the Sexual System in Great-Britain. 



The opposition to this system was no where 

 stronger or more persevering than in France, where 

 the authority of Tournefort had long been so 

 high and imposing; and where so many great bo- 

 tanists resided, each jealous for the honour of his 

 country, and for the reputation of his own opi- 

 nions. It is true, several of the naturalists of that 

 country embraced the opinions of the illustrious 

 Swede. Among these, Sauvages, Gouan, Ge- 

 rard, and Le Monier, deserve to be particularly 

 named. But by far the greater number became 

 his adversaries, and those most distinguished by 

 their learning and talents. The system which they 

 opposed, however, gradually rose into importance, 

 and extended its empire. Personal prejudices, and 

 national jealousies were slowly yielded. And al- 

 though it can by no means be said, eveii now, to 

 be universally adopted, yet it is incomparably more 

 popular than any other; and even those who reject 

 some of the opinions which it involves, generally 

 adopt its language as the most convenient and 

 philosophical any where to be found.'' 



But the immediate achievements of Linnjeus 

 himself, in botanical philosophy, were not the 



r Pulteney's HhtorUal and Biographical Sketsbet of Botany ^ 5cc, 



