44 BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTOIST. 



ment of American scientific institutes or affiliate with the natu- 

 ralists of the day. 



Of quite another type was the Count Luigi Castiglioni, who 

 travelled, soon after the Revolution, throughout the Eastern 

 States, and published in 1790 two volumes of his ti'avels.* 



The Count Volney [b. at Craon Feb. 3, i757' ^^- '^^ Paris 

 April 25, 1820], traveller, statesman, and historian, travelled 

 in this country from i795 to 17981 ''^iicl hi 1S03, while a Senator 

 of the French Republic, published his famous work upon the 

 United States, containing his observations upon its soil and its 

 climate, and upon the Indians, together with the first doctrines 

 of the language of the Miamis,t and also giving a description 

 of the physical and botanical features of the country. Volney 

 was an admirer and intimate friend of Franklin, and it was in his 

 home atPassy, we are told, that he conceived the idea of his most 

 famous book " Les Ruines."f 



Among the traditions of Fauquier county, Virginia, is one 

 which is of interest to naturalists, since it relates to an incident 

 showing the interest of our first President in science : 



"About the year 1796," runs the story, " at the close of a long 

 summer's day, a stranger entered the village of Warrenton. He 

 was alone, and on foot, and his appearance was anything but 

 prepossessing. His garments, coarse and dust-covered, indicated 

 an individual in the humble walks. From a cane across his 

 shoulders was suspended a handkerchief containing his clothing. 

 Stopping in front of Turner's tavern, he took from his hat a paper 

 and handed it to a gentleman standing on the steps ; it read as 

 follows : 



" The celebrated historian and naturalist 

 Volney needs no recommendation from 



"• G. Washingo-on." 



* Viaggio negli Stati Uniti del America Settentrionali. 



t Tableau dii climat et du sol des Etats-Unis d'Ameriqiie, suivi d'eclair- 

 cissements sur la Floride, sur la colonic fran9aise a Scioto sur quelques 

 colonies canadiennes, et sur les savages. Paris, 1803. Svo, 2 vols. 2d 

 edition. Paris. Svo, i vol., pp. 494. Map. 



J BiGELOW, John: Franklin's Home and Host, in France. T/ic Ceu/ury, 

 'Slay, 18SS, p. 743 



