LINN^US AT UPSAL. 151 



du6lions of art, and of promoting the progress of the domestic manu- 

 fattures of Sweden. They resolved, that travels be undertaken through 

 those Swedish provinces which were the least explored. The question, 

 who was the most capable person to be charged with the execution of 

 the enterprize, was soon decided. The choice fell on Lin n.eus, who 

 accepted the offer. His first tour was to the islands of Odancl and 

 Gothland. He set out on -this exploit, in the spring of 1741, accom- 

 panied by six naturalists. He had particular instructions to examine 

 all the plants and productions, which might be useful in dying, oeco- 

 nomy, and medicine, and to see if there was not a kind of earth in those 

 islands fit for the fabrication of porcelain-ware. The zeal of Lin- 

 NiEus even exceeded the bounds of his charge, he discovered many 

 new plants, colle6led a great variety of observations on the antiquities 

 of those islands, their mechanical arts, the manners of the natives, 

 their fisheries, and many other objeBs; but he was not able to accom- 

 plish the chief end of his voyage. He could find no porcelain earth, 

 as the soil of both islands consists of a calcareous earth and chrystal 

 rocks. His tour was however of great utility; the states gave him a 

 public testimony of their satisfaction, and four years after, he published 

 the narrative of thi^ tour*. 



The infirmities and advanced age of a man finally realised those 

 hopes of Linnaeus, which had been frustrated in the preceding 

 year. Soon after Ru dbeck's death, M. Roberg, senior of the Uni- 

 versity of Upal, and professor of physic and anatomy, requested his 

 dismission. His request was granted with the appendage of his whole 



* There is a German translation of Schreber, published at Halle in 1763 in 8vo from 

 « the Swedish original, entuuled " Car. Linniei Oeliinska och Gothlanska Resa," Stock, 

 holm., i-]^S) large o(:T;avo. 



salary. 



