2 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



room, if their form is to remain perfect. Think of 

 the difference between a forest-grown fir tree and a 

 specimen grown on an open space in a park, where its 

 branches feather down all round it to the ground. Like 

 a cathedral, one should be able to view a fine tree all 

 round. I seem to see Linnaeus, with a specimen that 

 wants replanting in his hand, going round the hot- 

 houses and pits saying, * Where shall I place my saint ? ' 

 and trying to squeeze a space in a tub already tenanted 

 by a derodendron and a lophospermum, a bignonia or 

 two twining about a bay tree, and several small long- 

 named specimens of low growth round the edge, each 

 sort of roots tapping a different stratum of nourishment, 

 plentifully renewed by rich top-dressing. Such a tub 

 reminds one of Mrs. Squeers counting the occupants of 

 the beds at Dotheboys Hall and saying ' Brooks' is full.' ! 



Carl writes, ' The musa has this day (April 3) begun 

 to flower.' It flowered last season. 2 



Linnasus was again in full tide of work. 3 The 

 printing of his ' Genera Plantarum ' 4 went on with all 

 possible speed at Leyden, and on October 3, 1736, he 

 was made a member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences 

 at Vienna, under the name, according to the customs 

 of that body, of Dioscorides II. He published the first 



1 This beau-pot fashion of planting has recently been revived 

 with pleasing effect at Kew and elsewhere. 



2 Diary. 3 Ibid. 



4 Before printing the first edition of the Genera Plantarum he 

 had examined the character of 8,000 flowers. Encycl. Brit, eighth 

 edition. 



