PANEGYRISTS OF L I N N ^ U S. 137 



times. The moderation of Cl I F FORT which restrained I.inn^us in 

 the preface, restrains us also from conferring our encomiums on him, 

 because none but another Linn^us could praise a Linn.^ius*. His 

 fame is so wide-spread that it needs no comment. His writings and 

 his ingenious system, by which the minutest and formerly unknown 

 parts of flowers and fruits are brought to light, sufficiently speak for 

 him. France venerates him, elefted him a correspendent member of 

 the Royal academy of sciences, Holland parted with him with reluftance, 

 and Sweden receives him again gladly in her bosom. The work before 

 us contains a colle61ion, an epitome of all the works hitherto pub- 

 lished by LiNNiEus, and affords uncommon elucidations in the history 

 of the vegetable reign. 



The public quotation of such opinions and testimonials, was the 

 properest expedient which Linn^us could choose, to render his coun- 

 trymen attentive to his merit and distinftion, and at the same time the 

 most eloquent defence which he could make against the aspersions of 

 Wallerius. 



The attacks of the whole phalanx of his foreign opponents could 

 not induce him to accept a challenge. The method of his ven- 

 geance was equally original and piquant. He sat enthroned above 

 the whole reign of vegetation. With the plants he transmitted honour 

 and disgrace to posterity. To beautiful plants he assigned the names 

 of his friends, and to the pernicious and inferior ones he gave the 

 names of his enemies. As an instance of this particular, we only need 

 quote here the Siegesheckia, Heisteria, Bufonia, Adansonia, and PonU- 

 dcria, 



* Nec LiNN^UM alius, quam LiNNiEUS ccllaudet. 



T The 



