20 MEMOIR OF 



of the Scliool of Medicine and Garden of Plants, 

 who afterwards became his companion in travel, 

 and greatly distinguished himself by his numerous 

 discoveries in botany. Animated by a desire to 

 explore distant regions little known to Europeans, 

 Humboldt contemplated joining the expedition of 

 discovery to the southern hemisphere, under the 

 direction of Capt. Baudin, then preparing in France ; 

 but the war in which that country was then en- 

 gaged, compelled the government to withhold the 

 funds allotted to this enterprise. Becoming ac- 

 quainted with a Swedish consul who happened to 

 pass through Paris, with the view of embarking at 

 Marseilles on a mission to Algiers, he resolved to 

 embrace the opportunity thus offered of visiting 

 Africa, in order to examine the lofty chain of moun- 

 tains in the empire of Morocco, and ultimately to 

 join the body of scientific men attached to the 

 French army in Egypt. Along with his friend Bon- 

 pland, he therefore repaired to Marseilles, where he 

 waited for two months the arrival of the frigate 

 which was to convey the consul to his destination. 

 At length, learning that this vessel had been injured 

 by a storm, he resolved to pass the winter in Spain, 

 reckoning on easily finding the means of passing 

 from thence to Africa in the spring. 



On his arrival at Madrid, he was received with 

 merited distinction by all the men of science in that 

 city. He had also the honour of being presented at 

 the court, and was graciously received by the King, 

 to whom he explained the motives which induced 



