Artecli's own works were not neglected during his new occupation ; and he communicated to Linnaeus, along with other manuscripts, one called Philosophia Ichthyologica, which had been the result of several years investigation ; and Linnxus, in return, chewed him his Fundamenta Botanica, which he had brought to a conclusion. Meantime the Thesaurus advanced, and Artedi had brought the fishes within six of completion, when, returning to his own lodgings from Seba's house, on the 25th of September 1735, he unfortunately fell into a canal at night, and was drowned.
This unhappy accident, however, did not deprive the public of the fruits of his labour. Linnaeus no sooner heard of it than he hastened to Amsterdam, to preserve the works in which he knew Artedi had been engaged. • He trusted the more easily to accomplish his views, be cause, while these two naturalists were fellow stu dents at Upsal, the warmth of friendship had induced them to make a mutual compact, whereby the books and manuscripts of each should devolve to the other, on the demise of either. But an unlooked-for obstacle oc curred : The person with whom Artedi lodged, insisted for a compensation of 200 gilders previous to the deli very of his effects, alleging that the deceased owed him money to that extent ; and, in the event of noncompli ance, he threatened to sell them by public auction. This being a greater sum than the finances of Linnaeus could afford, he applied to Seba, his friend's patron, who, on his part, would advance only a small portion of it, to defray his funeral expenses. Linnxus, earnest to res cue the works of Artedi from the hands of so rigorous a creditor, found means to interest Mr Clifford, a rich burgomaster, who had shewn much friendship to him self, and he immediately removed the difficulty : He purchased the manuscripts, and generously presented them to Linnxus. Thus the work on ichthyology was
preserved. In the year 1738 it was published under the following title : Petri 4rtedi Sueci Medici Ichthwologla sive Opera omnia de Piscibus, scilicet Bibliotheca Ich thyologica ; Philosophia Ichthyolo•ica ; Genera Piscium ; Synonima Specierum ; Descriptiones Specierum. Omaha in hoc genere perfectiora (plain antes alla. Posthuma vindicavit, recognovit, co-optavit, et edidit Carolus Linn.eus. This work could not fail to promote the study of ichthyology, on which so little had then been writ ten : Consequently it was held in high estimation ; and Linnxus, in the earlier editions of his own work, the Systema Natur.r, adopted the system planned by Av tedi, though he afterwards followed a different arrange ment. Artedi had included the cetacea under his ge neral ichthyological system, considering them fishes in strict acceptation. They are now classed with the main malia, which, at first sight, is admitted with some re pugnance.
In the diary of Linnxtis there is a parallel drawn be tween himself and Artedi, in these words : " There was a great difference in their persons and dispositions ; the former (Artedi) being of a taller and more handsome figure ; more serious, and of a more deliberate judg ment : whereas the latter was short in stature, yet stout ; hasty, and of a sanguine temperament." Besides the Preface to the Philosolzhia Ichthyologica, see Stoever's Life of Linncetts, by Trapp Pulteney's General View of the Writings of Linn,cus. Baeck's Comincmorative Speech on Linnxus. Stockholm, 1779. (c)