MEMOIR OF LINNJEUS. 37 



got into disagreeable embarrassments, by pronouncing 

 the famous Seven-Headed Hydra to be a deception, 

 composed of weasels' jawbones, covered with serpents' 

 skins. He found it necessary to leave the place, for 

 in so great value was this serpent esteemed, that it 

 had been pledged in security for a loan of ten thousand 

 marks, a value which this discovery by no means 

 enhanced. Upon his arrival at Harderwick, he was 

 introduced to the professors, wrote and defended his 

 thesis, and finally received his degree of M.D., with 

 a diploma containing testimonials of his abilities, as 

 flattering as those given upon his leaving school had 

 been discouraging. 



When this object was accomplished, it had been 

 arranged, that Linnseus should settle in Sweden as a 

 practical physician, under the patronage of Dr Moreus, 

 and he set out on his return, travelling through 

 Holland, that he might gain the acquaintance of the 

 celebrated men, and increase his information in the 

 profession he had now chosen. Various circumstances, 

 however, prevented his immediate return, and the 

 three probationary years had almost expired, before 

 he could revisit his country or claim his bride. 



At the commencement of his journey homewards, 

 the first place where Linnaeus remained for any time 

 was Amsterdam. Here he gained the friendship of 

 the celebrated Boerhaave, and that of Dr Gronovius ; 

 the latter a person of still greater importance to his 

 after fame. Gronovius was so much pleased with 

 the sketch of the Systema Naturae, by our young 



