368 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



misfortune of being considered at Rome as heretical and 

 materialistic productions. In 1758 they were inserted in 

 the catalogue of forbidden books. Under Clement XIV. 

 this was changed.' Linne in 1773 mentions this occur- 

 rence in a letter to Chevalier Thunberg, who afterwards 

 succeeded him at Upsala. ' The Pope, who fifteen years 

 ago ordered those of my books that should be imported 

 into his dominions to be burnt, has dismissed the pro- 

 fessor of botany who did not understand my system, 

 and put another in his place, who is to give public 

 lectures according to my method and theory.' 



Not long before his final illness he wrote to Mr. 

 Pennant, the zoologist. In reply to his letter, Mr. 

 Pennant entreated him not to forget his promise of 

 writing the natural history of Lapland, which he had 

 given in the preface to his ' Flora Lapponica.' He re- 

 plied, 'It is now too late' (Nunc nimis sero inciperem). 1 



The date of the last letter Linnaeus wrote is May 26, 

 1776. 



The vital force of mind and body was expended ; he 

 now needed renewal in the rest of Hades, where there 

 is no wear and tear the preparation for renewed youth 

 and growth. 



4 He was a wretched ruin in intellect and bodily 

 powers long before he died/ says Pulteney in a sweeping 

 sentence. A more graphic account of his condition 

 comes from his own hand. In 1776 a paralytic stroke 

 deprived him of the use of his right side, He lingered 

 1 Brightwell. 



