A VISIT TO THE JARDIN DES PL ANTES. 



233 



Fig. 33, 



the Interior, from whom, or his subordi- 

 nates, we found it necessary to obtain tic- 

 kets of admission to the green-houses and 

 galleries. The gardea itself is open to all. 

 It is, perhaps, one of the most useful insti- 

 tutions in France, affording unusual facili- 

 ties to the student of natural science. It 

 includes very complete collections in the 

 various departments of Ornithology, Ento- 

 mology, Zoology, Mineralogy, Botany, Con- 

 chology. Ichthyology, and Geology. There 

 is a fine gallery of Comparative Anatomy, 

 and its anatomical collection is unsurpassed, 

 excepting by that at Florence, which is, 

 perhaps, the most perfect existing. The 

 Menagerie is very extensive, the Botanic 

 Garden is very well arranged, and the 

 houses for exotic plants are large, but 

 not equal to many we saAV in England. 

 There is, also, an excellent library of Na- 

 tural History, and an amphitheatre with 

 Vol. II. 30 



^Oi"'-'"^'" 



Entrance Avenue. 



laboratory and apparatus for public lec- 

 tures on every branch of natural science. 

 These lectures are all gratuitous, and are 

 continued for more than half the year. It 

 is one of the most agreeable features of all 

 these French establishments of instruction, 

 that they are open to all, free of charge. 

 There is nothing of the kind in England, 

 or in this country, and yet if one tenth 

 of the sum expended in the Florida and 

 Mexican wars, had been appropriated to 

 these purposes, it would be difficult to 

 estimate too highly the advantages that 

 would accrue to all classes in this country. 



Of the appearance of the garden, we 

 can perhaps give the reader a better con- 

 ception by describing its details, as they 

 appeared to us in passing through its ave- 

 nues and winding paths. 



On entering the gate at the eastern or 

 Seine end, the eye rests at once upon the 



