MEMOIR OP LINNAEUS. 55 



Swedish, and the task of ascertaining and describing 

 the plants and vegetable productions mentioned in the 

 Holy Scriptures, was intrusted to his care. In the 

 same year, we find him writing to Pennant in London, 

 with all the enthusiasm of a young man entering upon 

 a favourite study. " Long ago have I been informed, 

 that my countryman, Dr Troil, has brought with him 

 your presents, which I so eagerly expected. He arrived 

 here the day before yesterday, and delivered your 

 Synopsis Quadrupedum and your Indian Zoology. I 

 return you my warmest thanks for each. I will 

 peruse and reperuse your Synopsis a thousand times. 

 I find much beauty and utility in it, and will study 

 it thoroughly. After having read the work, I will ask 

 you many questions, and never prove ungrateful to 

 you ; I will enter into no dispute about methods. I 

 wish to God I could see your other works, especially 

 that on birds ; how much knowledge, which I am 

 deprived of, might I collect from them ! Farewell 

 you'll hear more from me next time." 



In the year following, he composed his final essay. 

 The king had received from Surinam a collection of 

 curious plants preserved in spirits, with the fruit and 

 flowers entire, and with much liberality presented them 

 to Linnseus. Linnaeus composed a catalogue of the 

 whole, making out thirteen new genera, and about 

 forty undescribed species. One of these he dedicated 

 to his sovereign, under the title of Gustavia Augusta, 

 as the truest way by which he could express his 

 gratitude for the great distinctions conferred upoa 



