MEMOIR OF LINN/EUS. 
As an introduction to the third volume of the " American 
Flora," we have thought it advisable to give a short and brief ac- 
count of the life and history of the illustrious naturalist who first 
practically pointed out the real utility of some system by which 
the great kingdoms of nature could be properly studied and un- 
derstood, and their advantages to man most easily procured and 
adapted. The name of Linnaeus is known to the whole civilized 
world ; and, if we consider the rank of his parents, the scanty 
means possessed by them to defray the expenses of his education; 
and what was necessary in the early part of his career, to pursue 
his own favorite studies ; with the limited state of the botanical 
gardens at that period, we shall think that the merit which hiss 
cotemporaries awarded him, was very justly earned. 
The principal facts introduced in the following sketch, are 
taken from the biography by Dr. Pulteney, and the diary of Lin- 
naeus, written in Swedish, by himself, or under his superintendence, 
and published as an appendix to the work above mentioned- 
From this diary we learn that Nils Linnaeus, the father of the 
naturalist, born in 1674, was the son of a peasant named Ingemar 
Bengtsson, in Smaland, and married Ingrid Ingemarsdotter, sister 
of Ivan Tiliander, pastor of Pietteryd. The latter took Nils 
Linnaeus into his house, educated him along with his own children, 
and, having a good garden, he gave him also a taste for horticul- 
ture. After quitting school, he was sent to the University of 
Lund, where he had to contend with poverty, but, nevertheless, 
applied himself diligently to his studies. Retiring to his native 
place, he was admitted into holy orders by Bishop Cavallius, and 
first became curate, and afterwards minister of Stenbrohult. He 
soon after married the parson's eldest daughter, Christina Broder- 
sonia, and succeeded to the charge of his father-in-law, which he 
Vol. iii. — 3 
