14 LINN.XYUS. 
been irrecoverably lost. He labored day and 
night in examining the flowers ; hence originated 
his ‘‘ Flora Zeylanica.”’ : 
The fame and reputation of Linnzeus had now 
gained him both riches and honours, being admit- 
ted a member into most of the scientific societies 
of Europe. The Imperial Academy ele Tip 
him by the name of Dioscorides Secu 
Royal Academy of Sciences of Ups an vie fas 
emy of Sciences of Montpelier, the Royal Academy 
ours, being presented by his sovereign with letters 
of nobility. But perhaps the most flattering tes- 
timony to the extent and magnitude of his fame 
was that which he received from the King of 
Spain, who invited him to settle in Madrid, with 
an offer of an annual pension for life of 2,000 pis- 
toles, letters of nobility, and free exercise of his 
own religion. He returned most grateful ac- 
knowledgements for the intended honour, and his - 
answer that “if he had any merits they were due 
to his own country.’ The exertions and reputa- 
tion of Linnzeus had rendered botany extremely 
popular in Sweden, and its interests were com- 
bined with those of commerce in various distant 
expeditions. 
Many of the principal merchants as well as 
nobility had acquired a taste for natural history, 
and were proud to further the views of their dis- 
tinguished professor, who was now considered an 
honor to the nation. His herbarium received im- 
22 oe 
