CHAPTER XII 
LINNE AS MEMBER OF THE ACADEMIC CONSISTORY 
In one of his autobiographies, Linne wrote that “ he 
never missed a single lecture, but he considered Con- 
sistorial matters as different, and further Consistory was 
neither his delight nor object, for he was intended for 
other matters.” From these expressions a false idea 
has been derived that he left the burden of the work in 
that department to his brother professor. That this is 
erroneous may be seen from the fact, that from his 
installation to the middle of 1776, when bad health 
forbade him to leave his house, he was present at one 
or the other Consistories no fewer than 1,902 times, 
long or short as the case might be. Of course he could 
not attend when he was away from Uppsala on 
scientific travels, or when hindered by sickness, or 
presiding at disputations. One single case of “ school- 
sickness ” in 1751 occasioned so much remark, that 
Back, uneasy about it, enquiring of Linne, found that 
he had had a megrim for twenty-four hours, but was 
now quite well, and was busy on his “ Species 
plantarum,” having finished “ Polyandria.” Assidu¬ 
ous work compelled him in 1768 to beg leave of 
absence, readily granted by the Chancellor. On other 
unavoidable absences, the Academic Secretary was 
despatched to ascertain his vote by word of mouth. 
Even in 1777, when he was feeble, both in body and 
mind, he was able to send his vote by the same means 
to the Consistory. So energetic and quick-witted a 
man was not likely to neglect his part in deliberations, 
and he did not refrain from giving his opinions frankly. 
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