LINN^US I N ENGL AN D. 91 



which he made an epoch in natural history, and raised a lasting monu- 

 ment to his fame. 



LiNN.Eus waited on Djllenius, and found him in company with 

 another gentleman ; who, as he afterwards learned, was no other than 

 William Sherard. He addressed Dillenius in Latin, and apo- 

 logized for his ignorance of the English language. After some short 

 conversation, Dillenius said to Sherard in English: — See^ this zV 

 the young man who confounds all botany. — Linnaeus understood this, as 

 the word confound.) so analogous to the Latin of confundcre.^ was made 

 use of ; he feigned, however, not to understand him. They then went 

 to the garden. Linn^us took great notice of a plant which he had 

 not yet seen ( Anthirrhinum Minus). He asked Dillenius what plant 

 it was ? " That is more than you can tell me ?" answered the latter. — 

 " Yes I can tell, if I may be permitted to take off a flower and ex- 

 « amine it." — " Take one and welcome," said Dillenius. Linnaeus 

 took one and gave it the right name. Dillenius prepossessed by the 

 pride of his own knowledge, continued to treat our luminary with 

 great coolness and reserve. 



The latter despaired of ever gaining his friendship, and obtaining 

 presents of plants for Clif fort's garden. His travelling money was 

 also very nearly expended. He went therefore on the third day to 

 Dillenius, and intreated him to let his servant hire a coach for him 

 to return to London, as he could not speak English. The servant was 

 dispatched. " Before I go," said Linnaeus, " I have one favor more 

 *' to request : pray tell me candidly, why did you tell the man who 

 «' was with you the day before yesterday, that I was the person who 

 .confounded all botany ." Astonished and thunderstruck! Dillenius 

 N 2 endeavoured 



