92 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINN&US 



CHAPTER XVI. 



OLAND AND GOTHLAND. 



' It is very sweet in the midst of this soul-confusing phantasma- 

 goria to know that I have a fixed possession elsewhere ; that my 

 own Jeannie is thinking of me, loving me that her heart is no 

 dream like all the rest of it. Oh, love me, my dearest always love 

 me. I am richer with thee than the whole world would make me 

 otherwise. . . . But is not a little temporary separation like this need- 

 ful to manifest what daily mercy is our lot, which otherwise we 

 might forget, or esteem as a thing of course ? ' CABLYLE. 



LINNJSUS'S disappointment about the professorship at 

 Upsala was softened by the choice made of him by the 

 Swedish Diet to organise and carry out a series of tours 

 through the least-known provinces of South Sweden, 

 in order to promote useful knowledge and further the 

 improvement of agriculture. The first expedition was 

 to the islands of Oland and Gothland, and in this he 

 was to be accompanied by six subordinate naturalists. 



Thus instead of being obliged to join the navy and 

 go afloat as he dreaded, the opportunity of employing 

 and distinguishing himself in his own line was afforded 

 him. 



' In Oland and Gothland, he was directed to notice 

 every production of nature that might supersede the 



