118 
LINNAEUS 
The most just explanation is that this period is to 
be taken as 1731, when Linnaeus (since Rosen had 
returned from his travels and began his academic 
teaching) was hastily and unexpectedly dismissed 
from his commission to lecture in Rudbeck’s place, 
and through hasty temper, which he could not control, 
came nearly being sent away by the University. But 
against this may be recalled Linnaeus's own words : 
That as he knew from the beginning the recommend¬ 
ation for a student to lecture was only a measure of 
emergency (to stop simply as soon as the ordinary 
professor should return to Uppsala) he declared his 
readiness to give place to Rosen. Rudbeck opposed 
this as he regarded Rosen as not possessing the requi¬ 
site knowledge. Either he had not the opportunity 
of proving this, or, what is more likely, Linnaeus, 
before Rosen’s arrival, had already begun the 
spring lectures as Rudbeck’s deputy; it is certain that 
it was thus stated in the Consistory. However that 
may be, it is a fact that previous to Rosen’s return, 
he delivered the botanic lectures, with no reasonable 
grounds for bitterness, but really with contentment. 
As Linnaeus was, in the autumn term of 1731, an 
interested and satisfied pupil of Rosen in practical 
medicine, it shows that there was no friction between 
them. 
Naturally, some rebuke must have been given 
if Linnaeus had really made himself guilty of 
violent attacks. The alleged punishment clearly be¬ 
longs to other peculiar circumstances. It is certain 
that he received from the Royal Scientific Society 
as large a subsidy for his journey as it was able to 
give, so that his earnest wish to undertake a Lapland 
journey might be realized. Also, that he received an 
invitation to become a member of the said Society. 
Truly a gentle and not especially dreadful 
punishment! 
Whilst Linnasus was absent in Lapland during the 
period for botanic lectures, there could be no collision 
