2o8 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LtNNMUS 



He recounts to Haller many details of scientific in- 

 terest, which he continues in a letter of September 

 1746. He adds : < Mr. Everard Rosen ' [a son of his old 

 rival], ' who was here lately, tells me you have given 

 him your engraved portrait, in a book containing the 

 portraits of various learned men. Such a work is not 

 to be had here, and I earnestly beseech you, by our 

 long-established friendship, to send me this likeness of 

 you by the first post. I have already the portraits of 

 several distinguished persons, 1 from which I cannot suffer 

 yours to be wanting. I would purchase it if I could 

 at any price. ... In return for your portrait I shall 

 send you a gold medal of myself, but as it weighs about 

 an ounce, I doubt whether or not the post will take it.' 



1 October 21, 1746 I have this very hour received, 

 with the greatest delight, your most welcome portrait. 

 A painting shows at once more than the most perfect 

 description and hands down the living forms of men to 

 their latest posterity.' 



Linnaeus about this time saved the Swedish Govern- 

 ment some thousands a year by tracing the economy of 

 the Cantharis navalis, the fly which is the cause of much 

 destruction to the oak timber destined for shipbuilding. 

 He directed the timber to be laid in water during the 

 short period in which the insect lays its eggs. 2 



At the instance of Count Tessin, Linnaeus also ob- 

 tained the title of Archiater or Dean of the College of 

 Physicians, January 19, 1747. On February 14, 1747, 

 1 Collected in his travels abroad. 2 Smith. 



