344 LINN^US. 



man ! Whilst the whole botanical worlds like my- 

 self, has been looking for the most transcendent be- 

 nefits to our science, from the unrivalled exertions 

 of your countrymen, all their matchless and truly 

 astonishing collection, such as has never been seen 

 before, nor may ever be seen again, is to be put aside 

 untouched, to be thrust into some corner, to become 

 perhaps the prey of insects and of destruction. 



'^ I have every day been figuring to myself the 

 occupations of my pupil Solander, now putting his 

 collection in order, having first arranged and num- 

 bered his plants in parcels, according to the places 

 where they were gathered, and then written upon 

 each specimen its native country and appropriate 

 number. I then fancied him throwing the whole 

 into classes; putting aside, and naming, such as 

 were already known ; ranging others under known 

 genera, with specific difi'erences ; and distinguishing 

 by new names and definitions such as formed new 

 genera, with their species. Thus, thought I, the 

 world will be delighted and benefited by all these 

 discoveries ; and the foundations of true science will 

 be strengthened, so as to endure through all genera- 

 tions. 



" I am under great apprehension, that if this col- 

 lection should remain untouched till Solander's 

 return, it might share the same lot as Forskal's 

 Arabian specimens at Copenhagen. Thus shall I 

 be only more and more confirmed in my opinion, 

 that the Fates are ever adverse to the greatest un- 

 dertakings of mankind. 



" Solander promised long ago, while detained off 

 the coast of Brazil, in the early part of his voyage, 

 that he would visit me after his return j of which I 



