214 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



In entomology he adopted a\i entirely new mode of 

 arrangement, which has been followed by most later 

 entomologists. His merits in this line stand next to 

 his botanical studies. 



There is another circumstance in the manner of 

 teaching employed by Linnaeus too remarkable to be 

 passed over : that of rendering his pupils subservient to 

 the distribution of his own system, 'and of studying 

 natural history for the advancement of the science and 

 not merely as a branch of polite education. 1 By his 

 ready flow of language, and the happy manner in which 

 he communicated his ideas, he rendered the students 

 converts from any system they might have previously 

 adopted, and made them as enthusiastic in his method 

 of study as himself. He pointed out the delight of dis- 

 covery in the most fascinating terms, with ' inferences so 

 natural, spontaneous, and irresistible, that they seemed, 

 as it were, borrowed from his audience, though none of 

 that audience had arrived at them before.' He had a 

 wonderful power of exciting others to action. He was 

 himself so deeply in earnest, and so capable of creating 

 a vision of blissful attainment. 



Like our own Dr. Arnold, a man of kindred mind, 

 Linnaeus was eminently fitted to be the guide and in- 

 structor of youth ; like him, c he enjoyed the society of 

 youths of seventeen and eighteen, for they are all alive in 

 limbs and spirits at least, if not in mind, while in older 

 persons the body and spirits often become lazy and languid 

 1 Sir W. Jardine. 



