BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION 11 
flowers tempted him to an excursion at large, or that 
his quick powers of comprehension atoned for the 
wanting industry, or that his comrades in diligence 
and attention were not specially better than himself; 
suffice it to say, nothing occurred to prevent his trans¬ 
ference to the Gymnasium at the normal time. Since 
the annual examination took place on the 8th-ioth 
J ul y> 1723, Carl Linnaeus with fifteen comrades on 
the day following, himself the eleventh in order, 
passed into the Gymnasium.” 
During the period when the young Linnaeus passed 
through the lower school, he made the acquaintance 
of the man who, without doubt, exercised no small 
influence in his development as a naturalist. This 
was Daniel Lannerus (1679-1761) who in 1719, was 
appointed Rector of Vaxjo school. He was a great 
lover of plants, and as he was also an intimate friend 
of Nils Linnaeus he gave permission to the little Carl 
to go often into the garden and enjoy himself by 
eating berries. The Rector asked Carl about certain 
plants and whether he knew their names. Linnaeus 
answered readily and in turn put questions to the 
Rector, thus not only receiving instruction but also 
having the opportunity to ascertain the names of many 
plants. The Rector’s favour, which increased more 
and more, made Carl’s stay at Vaxjo a very pleasant 
time, especially as he was introduced by him to Lector 
and Provincial-Medicus Rothman, who, taking an 
uncommon liking to the lad, gave him permission 
to visit his garden, where many kinds of plants were 
found. Through this latter acquaintanceship were 
awakened thus early thoughts of a medical career. 
During the holidays at home, Carl amused himself 
with his brother and sisters, made a lancet of wood, 
as though he would bleed them, tested their slightest 
symptoms by their pulse, and sometimes sought for 
plants by which to cure their ailments. 
At the Gymnasium the pupils’ freedom was in a 
certain degree curtailed, although the object, with 
