1 64 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



personal charms of speech and manner, for no fashion 

 becomes a rage unless set off by the charms of those 

 who initiate it. 1 'Immediately after the distribution 

 of medals Linnaeus undertook the Wastgota Kesa, or 

 tour in West Gothland, which had been commanded 

 by the states.' He kept a minute and valuable diary 

 of his tour, which extended from June 12 to August 11. 

 This, being written in Swedish, has never been pub- 

 lished in England. None of Linnseus's biographers give 

 even an outline of it. In the following abstract, in 

 which I have been aided by a German translation of 

 the diary, 2 it will be interesting, especially to those who 

 know Sweden and can trace the changes that have 

 taken place since Linnaeus wrote, to compare the differ- 

 ence between now and then, and trace the progress, 

 or otherwise, of nearly three half- centuries. The most 

 important portions of the diary, the scientific objects 

 of the journey, I omit, as not being within the scope 

 of this book ; these things, being embodied in Linnaeus's 

 technical works, are already at the command of the 

 scientific reader. While summarising the great man's 

 views, I add my own superficial observations on the 

 aspect of the country. 



A salvo of adieux, with waving of handerchiefs, arose 



1 ' The Museum of the "Royal Academy of Upsala was augmented 

 by a considerable donation from the king, whilst hereditary prince, 

 in 1746 ; by another from Count Gyllenborg the year before ; and by 

 a third from Mr. Gryll (Grill), an opulent citizen of Stockholm.' 

 Encycl. Brit., eighth edition. 



2 Made by D. Schreber in 1764. 



