374 
LINNJEUS 
1745, and added to in 1751, is entirely written in Linne’s 
hand, as a note on the back of the title-page states, and 
was meant to serve as a guide for the “ Parentation,” or 
address, which should, according to the custom of the time, 
be delivered after his death, partly in Uppsala (by Professor 
Beronius) partly in the Academy of Science, Stockholm. 
It belonged to Linne’s son-in-law, S. C. Duse, the Proctor 
of the University; and remained with his family till it was 
sold by his daughter’s son, Engineer M. Ridderbielke, to 
the British Museum in London. Two copies are in 
Sweden; one by Afzelius in the library of Uppsala 
University (MS. X. 274 b.), the other by E. Ahrling, in 
the Academy of Science. 
In Afzelius’s work: “ Egenhandiga anteckningar,” it 
is ranked as III., and a “ complete ” extract is there given 
on pages 101-123, but the differences between this and the 
next (No. 4) are many and greater than appears from 
Afzelius’s statement, through alterations, omissions, and 
additions, he allowing himself great freedom in quoting 
Linne’s words, though he has marked these with quotation 
marks. 
4. Vita Caroli Linnaei, was published by Afzelius and 
ranked by him as VI. It was found in the house after the 
death of the younger Linne, but when the other manuscripts 
were sent to England, it was kept back by J. G. Acrel, 
whether by permission or not is uncertain, together with 
Linne’s “ Nemesis divina.” The loose sheets of paper of 
which it was composed, were arranged by him, added to 
here and there, a written title-page provided, and all 
bound in one volume. After Acrel’s death, P. von 
Afzelius became the owner, and he presented it to the 
library of Uppsala University, where it is now kept 
(MS. X. 274 a.). It may be added that a somewhat 
fragmentary title-page, in Linne’s own handwriting (MS. 
G. 152 a.), certainly belongs to it. 
This autobiography is the fullest, coming down to 1776. 
The beginning, about 1751, is written by another person, 
probably Linn6’s pupil, P. Lofling, to whom, when recover¬ 
ing from a severe illness in that year, he was accustomed 
to dictate what he wanted written down. The rest is in 
his own hand, clearly betraying the weakness of old age. 
A note on the back of the title-page expresses his wish 
that this autobiography should serve as a basis for the 
Memorial Oration, which he hoped “ Archiater Back, my 
truest friend in life,” should give after his death, in the 
Academy of Science. This wish was duly carried out. 
