122 BIOLOGY AND ITS MAKERS 
fessor in the University of Leyden, and secured for Linnzus 
an interview with that distinguished physician, who treated 
him with consideration and encouraged him in his work. 
Boerhaave was already old, and had not long to live; and 
when Linnzus was about to leave Holland in 1738, he ad- 
mitted him to his sick-chamber and bade him a most affec- 
tionate adieu, and encouraged him to further work by most 
kindly and appreciative expressions. 
Through the influence of Boerhaave, Linnzus became the 
medical attendant of Cliffort, the burgomaster at Amsterdam, 
who had a large botanic garden. Cliffort, being desirous of 
extending his collections, sent Linneus to England, where 
he met Sir Hans Sloane and other eminent scientific men of 
Great Britain. Aftera short period he returned to Holland, 
and in 1737 brought out the Genera Plantarum, a very original 
work, containing an analysis of all the genera of plants. He 
had previously published, besides the Systema Nature, his 
Fundamenta Botanica, 1735, and Bibliotheca Botanica, 1736, 
and these works served to spread his fame as a botanist 
throughout Europe. 
His Wide Recognition.—An illustration of his wide rec- 
ognition is afforded by an anecdote of his first visit to Paris 
in 1738. ‘On his arrival he went first to the Garden of 
Plants, where Bernard de Jussieu was describing some 
exotics in Latin. He entered without opportunity to intro- 
duce himself. There was one plant which the demonstrator 
had not yet determined, and which seemed to puzzle him. 
The Swede looked on in silence, but observing the hesitation 
of the learned professor, cried out ‘Hec planta jaciem Ame- 
ricanam habet.’ ‘It has the appearance of an American plant.’ 
Jussieu, surprised, turned about quickly and exclaimed ‘You 
are Linneus.’ ‘J am, sir,’ was the reply. The lecture was 
stopped, and Bernard gave the learned stranger an affec- 
tionate welcome.” 
