JOURNEY TO SKANE 
207 
old home, Nils Ingemarsson Linnaeus had died at the 
age of seventy-four. Concerning the latest years of 
his life and his departure, the following account is 
given by his son Samuel, who succeeded his father in 
November, 1749. 
“ When he heard in 1741 that Carl, his elder son, 
had made so good a marriage and had been appointed 
Professor, that a medal was struck in 1746, suc¬ 
ceeded by the title of Archiater in 1747, the old man 
was overjoyed and often said, ‘ I have had so many 
tokens of God’s grace and goodness towards my 
children, one after another, to gladden me, that I 
cannot die.’ In 1748 he became very ill, and as he 
lay sick in bed, he ordered all his children who were 
at home to place themselves the day before he died 
by his bedside. All four of us had to place ourselves 
in order of age. Carl’s place was vacant, but there 
were present Anna Maria, the pastor’s wife in Wire- 
stad; Sophia Juliana, the pastor’s wife in Ryssby; 
Samuel, adjunct to his father; and lastly, Emerentia, 
wife of C. A. Branting. Our late father, looking long 
at his children, said : ‘ Carl is absent. He has caused 
me great joy. God has blessed my five children, all 
have gladdened me, and none have caused me 
sorrow. Now I desire to bestow mv fatherly bene¬ 
diction before I go from you. Carl is absent.’ 
Afterwards he left his blessing for him, and for his 
whole house and family, and placing his hands upon 
each of them, hoped for a happy meeting in heaven.” 
On the 17th May, 1749, the journey began in 
Skane, towards Kristianstad, where Linnaeus stayed 
four days, noting the sand-dunes and their flora. 
Then to Rabelof on an excursion to Balsberg in 
company with N. Retzius, observing the fossil oyster 
shells. At Tunbyholm Linnaeus had a little adven¬ 
ture, the only one in his journey, with the testing of 
a divining rod. When the Secretary took a forked 
branch of hazel, one of the company hid his silver 
tobacco-box, another his watch, and Linnaeus cut up 
