PORTRAITS OF LINN^US, t^l 



editions of his works, it would take up both too much time and space in 

 the present work. 



The scientific inheritance left by Lin us, his excellent coUeftions 

 of natural history, his herbarium, manuscripts and letters, remained in 

 the possession of his family till the death of his son in 1783. A Bri- 

 tish naturalist of considerable property, but ubose great talents far 

 outshine his fortune, and whose love of nature is of the most ardent 

 kind. Dr. J AMES Edward Smith of London^ obtained those treasures. 

 He agreed to purchase them of the widow of Linn^^us for the sum of 

 one thousand guineas; infinitely glad at his being able to carry that 

 golden fleece to England for so trifling a consideration. How much 

 must Sweden regret, that the treasures of her immortal genius, should 

 have fallen to the share of a foreign land! It is, however, a consola- 

 tory refleftion, that they fell into excellent hands, and that their pre- 

 sent proprietor will use them in the best manner, for the benefit of 

 natural history. Dr. Smith has already published several of the un- 

 known productions of Linn ZEUS, and the scientific world may expeft 

 to reap many more advantages from his penetrating knowledge and un- 

 remitting diligence. 



At first, no person at Upsal could in the least imagine, that the inva- 

 luable learned remains of the prince of botany would ever be exported 

 to a foreign country. A patriotic Swede and zealous promoter of 

 natural science, of the name of Mauhle, who was at that time in Chinas 

 upon business concerning the Swedish East India Company, is said to 

 have endeavoured to get them into his possession*, by giving direftions 



to 



• Crinum Africaniim ;_novum genus constitui et Mauhliam in honorem nobilissimi Dom. 

 Jo. Mauhle nominavi, qui solus pecuniam milii suppeditaverat ad servandum in patria Mu- 



L 1 seum 



