V 
/ 
OF THE LIFE OF LINNAEUS. *99 
It is an universal botanical repertory, a catalogue of all the plants till 
then known to Linn«eus in different parts of the world, containing 
7,300 species, without reckoning their variations. He dedicated this 
work to the King and Queen of Sweden, and was not himself insensi- 
ble of its value and merit. 45 Never,” said he in the preface, have I 
44 retorted upon mine enemies the arrows which they let fly against me. 
44 I have quietly borne offences of the satyrs, and the ironies and attacks 
« of malice. They have at all times been the reward of the labours of 
44 great men; but they cannot hurt a single hair of my head. Why should 
44 I not put up with these unworthies, when the greatest and most cele- 
44 brated botanists, before whom they must bow down to the dust, have 
44 loaded me with praises. My age, my profession, my character, do not 
44 permit me to combat my opponents. I. will bestow the few years I have 
44 to live, upon making useful observations. Errors in natural history 
44 will admit of no defence, nor can the truth be concealed. I appeal, 
44 therefore, to the judgment of posterity.” 
What Caspar Bauhin had attempted at Basil in the beginning of 
the last century by his piSure of the vegetable reign (Pinax) ; what Sh e- 
rard had so much and so vainly wished to be executed with his great 
botanical colle&ions by Professor Dillenius, was now accomplished 
by one man in the best manner possible. This work of Linnaeus 
contains an universal representation of the most modern state of the 
vegetable rein ; and of the discoveries which had till then been made in 
it, and reached the knowledge of our great luminary. 44 Posterity it- 
44 self,” says Dean B^ck, 44 will once give its judgment, if it be neces- 
44 sary to determine, if every thing published as new after the- death of 
2 44 Linnaeus, 
) 
