SO MEMOIR OF LINN^US. 



proper place, and even to doubt the situation of many 

 whose characters had not been properly ascertained. 



Next year it was thought necessary that Linnaeus 

 should complete ^s education at some university, and 

 upon applying at the Gymnasium, he received the 

 following metaphorical testimonial, which will show 

 the littl*- esteem in which his qualifications as a scholar 

 were held, and is a curious example of the manner in 

 which the professors worded their certificates. " Youth 

 at school might be compared to shrubs in a garden, 

 which will sometimes, though rarely, elude all the care 

 of the gardener, but, if transplanted into a different 

 soil, may become fruitful trees. With this view, there- 

 fore, and no other, the bearer was sent to the univer- 

 sity, where it was possible that he might meet with a 

 climate propitious to his progress." 



With this certificate he proceeded to the university 

 of Lund, and only procured admittance by the interest 

 of his old preceptor Hok, who withheld the testimonial, 

 and introduced him as his private pupil. 



At Lund Linnaeus lodged in the house of Dr Kilian 

 Stobaeus, professor of medicine, and physician to the 

 king, a man of mild disposition, and excellent temper. 

 Stobaeus admired the industry of his lodger, and his ac- 

 quirements in natural science ; allowed him free access 

 to his excellent library, his collections of shells, minerals, 

 plants, and birds, and first pointed out to our young 

 botanist the manner of making a Hortus Siccus, who, 

 enthusiastic in all his undertakings, immediately com- 

 menced collecting, drying, and gluing upon paper, 



