LIFE ABROAD 
149 
great numbers of Cactus , orchids, crucifers, yams, 
magnolias, tulip-trees, calabash-tree, arrowroot, Cassia , 
acacias, tamarinds, peppers, Anona , manchineel, 
cucumber-tree, and many others, and encompassed by 
these, pisang ( Musa ), the stateliest amongst all the 
plants of the world, the magnificent H ernandia, silver¬ 
leaved Protea and the valuable camphor-tree. When 
I afterwards came into the truly royal residence and 
into the most instructive museum, whose collections 
spoke no less of their possessor’s renown, I felt, as 
a foreigner, quite transported, because I had never 
seen their equal. My earnest wish was that I might 
lend a helping hand to their preservation.” 
Linnaeus’s feelings and wishes being as stated, 
Clifford was no less eager to see Boerhaave’s plan 
realized, and all the more, as he had received a letter 
from Gronovius candidly and sincerely setting forth 
the great advantage he would obtain by Linnaeus 
taking charge and regulating the herbarium, and the 
rest of the natural productions, as well as drawing 
up a Hortus hartecamfensis . He remarked the 
peculiarity about Linnaeus, that he knew the Indian 
plants, which he had never seen, as soon as he had 
opened a flower and counted its parts. This set him 
wondering, and he therefore came forward with his 
proposition, that Linnaeus should exchange Amsterdam 
for Hartecamp. Notwithstanding the great desire 
Linnaeus had for this change he considered himself 
bound by his engagement with Burman, and the latter 
seems to have been little disposed to relinquish his 
newly acquired, helpful coadjutor. In a visit to 
Clifford’s rich library, Burman, with delighted 
astonishment, beheld the second volume of Sloane’s 
great work, “ A Voyage to the Islands Madera . . . 
and Jamaica,” and gave utterance to his great 
pleasure. “ I have two copies of it,” Clifford hastened 
to say, “ and I will give you one, if you will give up 
Linnaeus to me.” The decision was now left to the 
latter. After a journey to Leyden on the 18th of 
