324 



A VISIT TO THE JARDIN DES PLANTES. 



lamp. She comprehends the true fraternity 

 of nations, and perceives that science is 

 neither to be restrained by man nor limited 

 to empires. Here, in the dominions of na- 

 ture, she looks at the rights and needs of 

 humanity together, and deems it a crime to 

 deny a free communication of those treasures 

 of science which may prove useful to the 

 human race." 



The Gallery of Zoology occupies a build- 

 ing nearly 100 feet in length, and three 

 stories high. The third story contains the 

 collection of mammalia, about 1500 speci- 

 mens. The second contains the birds, of 

 which there are nearly 6000 specimens, all 

 beautifully prepared, and presenting a bril- 

 liant show of graceful shapes and gorgeous 

 plumage. An ornithologist would here lose 

 all recollection of the external world. On 

 the first floor is perhaps the richest collection 

 of reptiles existing, mostly preserved in 

 spirits of wine, and including tortoises, frogs, 

 &c. : of these there are nearly 2000 speci- 

 mens. The collection of fishes comprises 

 about 5000 specimens, either preserved in 

 spirits of wine, or their skins dried, stuffed 

 and varnished. By this last mode the co- 

 lors are retained remarkably well, and give 

 a better opportunity for inspection than 

 when preserved in spirits of wine. When 

 residing in the tropics some few years ago, 

 we Avere frequently struck with admiration 

 of the brilliant and gorgeous colors of the 

 fishes of that region. A friend, some time 

 after our return, kindly sent us a collection 

 of the finest, prepared in this manner, with 

 their skins dried and stuffed ; and they are 

 now in perfect condition. 



The entomological collection numbers 

 about 25,000 specimens; and there is a 

 very beautiful collection of shells, corals, 

 sponges, &c. 



The whole number of specimens in this 

 building is said to be 150,000; and the 



arrangement is very perfect, exhibiting every 

 stage of animal organization from the sponge 

 to man. 



The Cabinet of Comparative Anatomy 

 occupies another building, and was prepared 

 and arranged under the direction of Cuvier. 

 In one room are skeletons of various marine 

 mammalia ; in another are skeletons of the 

 human frame, mummies, dwarfs, skulls, &c. 

 In another are detached bones, for the pur- 

 pose of study ; and others contain every 

 variety of animal organization, bones, mus- 

 cles, &c. A collection of brains and eyes 

 is contained in phials, as also the bones of 

 the ears of all animals. In a glass case, 

 we noticed a model in wax, of the hen ; 

 exhibiting the several stages of formation 

 of the egg, and the internal organs. In one 

 room is a collection of skulls and casts of 

 distinguished characters, very attractive to 

 the phrenologist. There are hundreds of 

 other things which want of time and space 

 will not permit us to mention here, but 

 which were highly interesting. 



The largest and finest building is devoted 

 to the galleries of mineralogy and geology, 

 and the botanical collection. It is nearly 

 500 feet long, 40 wide, and two stories 

 high, Tesembling in appearance a large 

 cathedral. Here we found fragments of 

 mountains, specimens of various soils, mi- 

 nerals taken from the lowest parts of the 

 earth, specimens of the various strata, and 

 mammiferous fossil remains. On specimens 

 of rocks are shown the gigantic footsteps of 

 animals which no longer exist, and other 

 objects of interest, which present to an in- 

 telligent mind not merely a resting place 

 for the eye, or a pleasant occupation for an 

 idle hour, but indubitable evidence that, 

 amid all our knowledge of the past, and the 

 vast progress in science and art which the 

 last few years have seen, man is still but 

 on the threshold of knowledge ; and the 



