BOTANICAL REFORM. 103 



PoNTEDERA, shcwcd the errors and excellencies of each, and added the 

 genera of plants according to the different authors in the margin ot 

 his own system. 



He soon had the pleasure to see his aspiring ambition gratified, and 

 the sway of his method acknowledged. His friends, Vah Royf.\ 

 and Gronov were the first who followed his diftates. The former 

 published in 1739 a description of the plants of Vtrginia (Flora Vir- 

 giniceJi in the completion of which he had been assisted by LinnjEus, 

 and his technical nomenclature and descriptions. Thus with Sweden*, 

 the Dutch were the first who did homage to this new botanical constitU' 

 lion, though it was rejefted by some proud aristocratic malecontents. 



The great number of friends and connexions whom LiNNiEus had 

 found in Holland, afforded him fine prospers and secured his subse- 

 quent welfare. The Dutch wished to prevail on so valuable a man not 

 to leave their country. It was proposed to him to make a botanical 

 voyage at the expence of the republic to the Cape of Good Hope, with, 

 the promise of giving him on his return, a professorship of botany in a 

 Dutch university. But Linn^us also slighted this offer, because he 

 violently longed after his country, and after those bright hopes which 

 he flattered himself to realize there. 



The beginning of the year 1738 was the dullest time Linnaeus pas- 

 sed in Holland, Formerly he always was of a serene, unruffled and 

 cheerful temper; but now disquietude and melancholy preyed upon 

 him. The celebrity which he had gained, the remonstrances of his 

 friends, in short, nothing could raise his depressed spirits. The hercu- 



» At Stockholm was published J. Eeerh. Ferber, Medici,. Hoitus Agerumensis, Se. 

 cundura Methodum Sexualem Linnsei, 1739, oftavo. 



a ' lean 



