6 LINN_EUS. 
According to the system then employed in 
Sweden, if was necessary that young men should 
pass from the schools, or from private teachers, 
to what was called the Gymnasium, where the 
higher branches of literature were taught, and 
at the age of sixteen, Linnzeus was placed in this 
seminary. Here he still continued his dislike for 
those theological studies necessary for a divine, 
and showed a more decided taste for botany by 
forming a small library of such books upon the 
science as hecould procure, and from his studious 
perusal of them acquired the college name of the 
‘Little Botanist.’’ Next year it was thought 
necessary that Linnzeus should complete his edu- 
cation at the University of Lund, where he lodged 
in the house of Dr. Stobeus, a man of mild and 
excellent disposition, Professor of Medicine, and 
physician to the king. Stobeus admired the 
natural science, allowed him free access to his ex- 
cellent library, his collection of shells, minerals, 
plants and birds, and first pointed out to our 
young botanist the manner of making a ‘“ hortus 
siceus,’ 
It was here he composed his ‘‘Spolia Botanica,’’ 
and contracted a friendship with Artedi, after- 
wards celebrated for his ichthyology. These two 
young men.now devoted their whole leisure to 
natural history, Linnzeus reserving for his share 
birds, insects and plants, while his companion 
took fishes, reptiles, ete. 
His dissertation, De Nuptiis Arborum, was 
shown to Dr. Rudbeck, who was so well pleased 
with the tract and its author, that soon after, 
