242 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



from year to year/ complains Oollinson (March 1747), 

 1 but not the least returns. It is a general complaint 

 that Dr. Linnaeus receives all and returns nothing. 

 This I tell you as a friend, and as such I hope you will 

 receive it in great friendship. As I love and admire 

 you, I must tell you honestly what the world says.' A 

 Quaker is well qualified to be the good-natured friend 

 who tells uncomfortable truths. 



In April 1747 crusty Collinson writes again: 'It 

 is to no purpose to send seeds if you do not contrive 

 a better and safer way of conveyance. 1 No doubt you 

 have heard of dear Lawson's death, who is greatly 

 regretted.' 



Another death. In April 1747 Mitchell, writing to 

 Linnaeus of Dillenius' death, says, c The Sherardian 

 " Pinax " is still incomplete.' The English still looked 

 to Linnasus to complete it, for in October 1747 Collin- 

 son writes, ' Dr. Dillenius was working at the " Pinax " 

 when he died. What will be its fate now, I know not, 

 for the present professor I do not think of skill suffi- 

 cient to undertake it.' In April 1755 Collinson writes 

 again, ' It gives all botanists a true concern to see 

 the " Pinax " sink into oblivion and be lost for ever. It 

 is only you, my dear friend, can restore it.' Linnasus 

 was working energetically at the universal Pinax, the 

 ' Systema Naturae.' 



April 20, 1750, Collinson writes: 'I industriously 

 promoted your election ' [to the Fellowship of the Royal 

 1 Yet these things were not contraband of war. 



