a butterfly’s wings. 
1 *5 
personages who in that age rejoiced to be found among the 
patrons of learning.” 
As the learned Greek ceased, the company by common consent 
desired Linnaeus next to speak. He commenced by stating 
that when he first entered upon his researches he found science 
pretty much where it had been left by the school which Theo¬ 
phrastus and Pliny represented. In some respects, indeed, men 
had gone backwards instead of progressing since the Greeks and 
Romans wrote. During the long, dark ages which had inter¬ 
vened men had been content to copy and corrupt the ancients, 
multiplying their fables, encumbering their facts and theories 
with a hopeless mass of idiotic and senile comment, and obscur¬ 
ing the truths which had been brought to light by the original 
students of nature. “ When I was a student (he continued), 
Europe was about to awake from the slumber of the ages. A few 
stars were beginning to illumine the dark horizon, and the spirit 
of the age was one of enquiry and criticism. Though I spent 
the greater part of my life at the University of Upsala, few men 
have ever been so fortunate as myself in securing the co-operation 
of devoted students of nature. From every quarter of the globethe 
vessels which visited our shores brought stores of good things, 
many of which had till then never been seen or described by 
men of science. Ellis, Sherard, Dillenius, Petiver, Richardson, Sol- 
ander and Osbeck, may be named as a few of the representatives-of 
that noble army of toilers, who last century helped to fan the fire 
of enthusiasm which nature had enkindled in my breast.” 
To the question, put by Paley, whether he would oblige us 
with a few biographical details, Linnaeus replied as follows :— 
“ My father was a clergyman. I am glad to know that recently 
a learned savant has called attention to the fact that the clergy 
have the honour of being the progenitors of some of the most 
famous artists, men of letters, philosophers, and scientists, which 
have ever lived. My father was fond of gardening, and his little 
plot of ground was always stocked with the rarest plants that could 
be obtained. Hence my earliest memories are associated with 
choice productions of nature. I was born May 24th 1707, and as 
a youth was educated for the Church. I had no liking, however, 
for the wearisome routine study assigned me, and much prefered 
to catch butterflies and gather flowers. Failing as a student, I 
was sent to learn Crispin’s art, but thanks to Dr. Rothmann, was 
duly rescued from the cobbler’s bench, and began to study medi¬ 
cine. At 20 years of age I entered the University of Lund, and 
after undergoing sundry trying experiences, owing to the strait- 
ness of my means, was fortunate enough to obtain the patronage 
and friendship of Celsius. By his aid I was able to continue my 
researches, till Rudoeck took me into his house, whereupon my 
initial difficulties came to an end.” 
Paley enquired whether or not Linnaeus had, as stated, travelled 
