Engelbert Kaempfer’s report on the Persian hyena as the main source of Linnaeus’ hyaena description in the Systema Naturae, Holger Funk; p. 77: [W]e discuss the reception of Kaempfer’s report by one of the most eminent 18th century zoologists, Carolus Linnaeus (Carl von Linné), who increasingly utilised Kaempfer’s description in the various editions of his Systema Naturae. As a result, the zoological name of the striped hyena, which was the subject of Kaempfer’s report, is today connected with his name: Hyaena hyaena Linnaeus, 1758. Without Kaempfer’s achievement, surely this would have been impossible. p. 87: Kaempfer provided the first description of a hyena species which complies with scientific demands in the sense of today’s zoology and on which further hyena research could be based. The value of this achievement was recognised by Linnaeus, who integrated Kaempfer’s information in his biological systematics. Linnaeus held Kaempfer in high esteem. In 1736 he praised him as „one of the best travelling researchers“ (inter optimos numeratur peregrinatores), shortly afterwards he called Kaempfer the „most inquisitive of all travelling researchers“ (inter Peregrinatores omnium curiosissimus); ten years later Linnaeus called Kaempfer again an „outstanding traveller“ (Peregrinator eximius). Alone in the 10th edition of the Systema Naturae Linnaeus repeatedly refers to Kaempfer’s Amoenitates as well as to his posthumous History of Japan from 1727 (Scheuchzer edition). Thus, after all, it is no surprise that Linnaeus exploited also Kaempfer’s hyena description for his purposes.
Zu dieser Übersetzung siehe W. Michel: His Story of Japan – Engelbert Kaempfer's Manuscript in a New Translation. Monumenta Nipponica, 55 (1), 2000, S. 109–120. (Digitalisat)
