10 Martius on the Life and Labours of DeCandolle. 



natural history, and he returned, on the 8th of November 1816, 

 into the service of his native country. The French government 

 did not part with him wilKngly ; his scholars at Montpelier made 

 eveiy possible effort to retain their beloved teacher, but in vain. 

 In Geneva he had lectures to deliver in zoology as well as botany. 

 In this field likewise he manifested his happy talent for instruc- 

 tion, and all his lectures were enthusiastically received by a crowd 

 of hearers. 



At the instigation of DeCandolle a botanical garden was insti- 

 tuted, of which he was the curator until his death. More than 

 500 subscribers formed by degrees a fund of 89,000 francs, ap- 

 propriated to the support of this garden. This is not the only 

 testimony of the sympathy of his fellow-citizens in what DeCan- 

 dolle recommended as for the interest of science and of the town. 

 There was accidentally entrusted to him for a short time a large 

 and valuable collection of drawings of Mexican plants, made by 

 the Spanish botanists Leon Mo9ino and Cervantes, in Mexico. 

 These being unexpectedly called for, all the artists and amateurs 

 of the city assembled at his request, and in eight days^ active 

 labour made a complete copy of all these drawings. DeCandolle 

 told me with glistening eyes, that this proof of the regard and 

 affection of his fellow-citizens was one of the most delightful expe- 

 riences of his life. But who among his associates would not gladly 

 have assisted in scientific efforts a man who was distinguished by 

 so much gracefulness, by such transparent frankness, united with 

 such fine tact in social intercourse ? He was a keen observer, an 

 accurate judge of the human heart. It was therefore easy for him 

 to associate with all classes in society, and to influence all for the 

 good of the commonwealth. This is manifest by his being chosen 

 in the year 1816 into the Council of the representatives of the 

 canton, and being twice unanimously re-elected after the first time 

 of service, in the years 1829 and 1839, by the voice of the peo- 

 ple. As long as he lived in his paternal city, he was called by the 

 confidence of his fellow-citizens to situations of public responsi- 

 bility. He examined with a penetrating glance the condition of 

 municipal affairs at that time ; a friend of order and of a peaceful 

 progress, he set on foot many useful institutions, and applied him- 

 self to the carrying out of others which were projected by con- 

 genial patriots. He took an active part in the formation and en- 

 riching of the museum of the Academy ; I have already mentioned 

 that the botanical garden was created by him. As president of 

 the Society of Arts, he animated every movement of his fellow- 

 citizens in the field of arts and manufactures. He considered at- 

 tention to agriculture of peculiar importance in a small republic 

 which depends upon its neighbourhood for the necessaries of life. 

 On this account he founded in that society a peculiar class for 



