LINNiEUS AT UPSAL 
* 5 * 
duCtions of art, and of promoting the progress of the domestic manu- 
factures 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 Linnaeus, who 
accepted the offer. His first tour was to the islands of Oeland 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, ceco- 
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- 
n.eus even exceeded the bounds of his charge, he discovered many 
new plants, collected a great variety of observations on the antiquities 
of those islands, their mechanical arts, the manners of the natives, 
their fisheries, and many other objeCts; 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 this tour*. 
The infirmities and advanced age of a man finally realised those 
hopes of Linn/eus, which had been frustrated in the preceding 
year. Soon after Rudbeck’s death, M. Roberg, senior of the Uni- 
versity of Upsal, 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 Schriber, published at Halle in 1763 in 8vo from 
« the Swedish original, entituled “ Car, Linnai Oelansha fit h Goihlanska Ursa,” Stock - 
holm, 174 5, large oftavo. 
salary, 
