Bergman, who had so far been supported by his parents, was now forced to take
a job to get some income but was fortunately allowed to continue his studies at the
University. Bergman was hired by General and Count Wolter Reinhold Stackelberg
to privately teach his son, Adolph Fredric, who would follow in his father’s steps
and become a colonel and knight [8].
After passing compulsory exams in theology, Bergman passed an examen rigorosum on May 24, 1756, now being only one step away from the desired master’s
degree, the highest degree at the faculty of philosophy, equivalent to a Ph.D. degree
in modern terminology. He now only had to successfully defend his inaugural
thesis.
Bergman was, as always, hardworking and besides his studies in astronomy and
mathematics, and his job as a private tutor, he also found time for his passion for
insects. He was surprised to find that Coccus aquaticus described by Linnaeus as an
insect in his Fauna Suecica, actually was the larvae of a leech. According to
Linnaeus the females of the genus Coccus attached themselves to plants or trees and
Fig. 4.3 The old Uppsala observatory. Engraving from Busser’s Utkast till bskrifning af Upsala,
part 2 from 1769
4.1 Bergman’s Education in Uppsala
49