2i8 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



learning. ' There are two tilings,' said Edward Irving, 

 4 to be kept in view in judging of the worth of men 

 first, what powers they had, and then what uses they 

 turned them to.' Linnaeus not only turned his own 

 perspicacious powers to the investigation and elucida- 

 tion of truth, but he judged well of the best uses to put 

 his pupils to. To rein in their zeal was the chief diffi- 

 culty. He was keen to discern tjie bent of their genius 

 and to develop and utilise their physical powers. 



The majority of his pupils he encouraged to travel 

 in their own country, each taking a separate district. 

 But many of his pupils travelled abroad : Kalm, Thun- 

 berg, Solander, &c. According to Linnasus, the only 

 true naturalist was the travelling naturalist. The cir- 

 culation of knowledge to science is what the circulation 

 of the blood is to man. ' The emulation excited among 

 his pupils amply rewarded Linnasus by the vast harvest 

 of useful information that flowed in from them after 

 they were dispersed all over the world.' He was edu- 

 cating these generals of the great army of science. 



Some of his pupils were best adapted for working 

 with their brain in the laboratory, in analysis and pre- 

 paration of what had been provided ; some were con- 

 stitutionally better suited for travel and research, utilising 

 the ' robust and lavish strength of an age which had 

 come with fresh delight to the study of life ' ; and the 

 inquisitive minds of a race joyous, robust, and simple, 

 c often racy of the soil,' full of rustic vigour. There was 

 work for all under the guiding and practical influence 



