NOTE ON ARACHIS HYPOGMA. 177 
M. de Jussieu had long experienced the symptoms of his mortal 
malady, but he knew neither its origin nor its alarming nature. The 
process of digestion caused him such pain that he was often compelled 
to rest, after his meals, for many hours, stretched on a couch ; but -it 
was then that his mind was fully occupied: he used to read and to 
meditate. His lamp-lit library, seen by night, was to the inhabitants 
of the Museum what Bossuet’s early candle had been to the people of 
Meaux, who used to speak of “ My Lord's Morning Star,’ an emblem 
of unwearying industry. Medicine was powerless : ever since the close 
of 1852 it became evident that the illustrious botanist was the victim 
of a malady which no human power can arrest. Himself, alone, seemed 
to ignore the fact: he pursued, while almost overpowered with pain, 
those labours which he had carried off so lightly when in health; duty 
still found him at his post as a Professor, and, like the Emperor Marcus 
Aurelius, he seemed determined to die standing ; but his powers be- - 
trayed his will, and he was compelled to give up work. Long, long 
hours of agony made great demands on his firm courage, but however 
~ Violent were the attacks of disease, his patience was equal to the call : 
he- never complained, but showed himself as firm against pain as he 
had done against the intoxication of prosperity. I must be allowed to © 
allude to the tender care which was lavished upon him by his son-in- 
law, M. Ramond, who was all to him that an own son could have been. 
M. de Jussieu expired on the 29th June, 1853, and universal was the — 
regret felt for his death. The Museum and the Institute lost one of | 
their most illustrious members, the Society of Agrieulture its chief 
ornament, and France a popular and distinguished name, closely con- 
nected with those of De Buffon and Cuvier. The glory is exclusively - 
scientific: it owes nothing to striking views and a majestic style, like — 
that of De Buffon, nor does it appeal to the imagination, as in the case — 
of Cuvier, which seems to suggest the resurrection of a defunct world; 
but it is based on discoveries no less important, for it is founded on — 
ever-during truths, viz. the subordination of characters in created or- : 
ganizations, and their distribution into those natural Families, with — 
which will be for ever connected the illustrious name of De Jussieu. - us 
Additional Note on Arachis hypogea; by GEORGE BENTHAM, Es. — 
In the year 1838 a short paper of mine was read before > Linnæan = 
VOL. VII. 
