As in the history of most great men, a seemingly great misfortune proved
to be a turning point in his career. The position he had temporarily
filled with such credit to himself and profit to the students was
claimed by its regular occupant, and, despite the opposition of the
faculty, Linnaeus had to relinquish it. The two subsequent years were
spent in botanical investigations under the patronage of various eminent
men. During one of these he traveled through Lapland to the shores of
the Polar Sea, and the results of this expedition were embodied in his
"Lapland Flora," the first flora founded on the sexual system. He
delivered a peripatetic course of lectures, and during one of these he
formed the acquaintance of Dr. Moraeus, a pupil of the great Boerhaave.
Dr. Moraeus took Linnaeus into partnership with him. Here again a seeming
misfortune proved to be a great advantage. Linnaeus fell in love with the
eldest daughter of Dr. Moraeus, but was denied her hand until he should
graduate in medicine. Linnaeus, to complete his studies as a physician,
then entered the University of Harderwyk, Holland, the alma mater of his
first benefactor, Dr. Rothman, and of the great Boerhaave.
After two years' study he was graduated in medicine with high honors.
His thesis, "The Cause of Chills," received special commendation.
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