François Boissier de la Croix de Sauvages

(1706–1767) [Sauv.]


Classifying solely based on leaves, this abbé’s Methodus Foliorum (La Haye, 1751) shows a thorough knowledge of the plants of France. This text was presented as a device to distinguish between species and advocates setting up a multitude of artificial systems in order to classify all species. Sauvages was the first botanist at the University of Montpellier to espouse Linnaean values. The Methodus is dedicated to Linnaeus and is frequently cited by Michel Adanson.

Right: HI Archives portrait no. 1.

When Linnaeus cites Sauv. monsp., he's referring to François Boissier de la Croix de Sauvages (1706–1767), Methodus Foliorum, seu Plantae Florae Monspeliensis ... (La Haye, 1751).

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