g GUSTAVE TIIUKICT. 



exposure to the water in winter affected Thuret's health, and, 

 being troubled with asthma, he sought a residence on the Mediter- 

 ranean, where there would be an abundance of Algje and a mild 

 climate. Unfortunately, collecting on the ^Eediterranean is not easy, 

 as there is almost no tide, and the algologist is at the mercy of the 

 wind. At length Antibes was selected as a spot suitable for a residence 

 and at the same time convenient for collecting, and a tract of rather 

 wild-looking land was purchased, which soon became one of the famous 

 gardens of Europe, in spite of the belief of the neighbouring villagers 

 that nothing would grow there. Into this retreat Thuret withdrew 

 in company with his friend Bomet, and it is in connection with 

 Antibes that the latter part of his life is always associated, as he only 

 left his garden when the heat of summer drove him to the Atlantic 

 shores. 



One who has travelled in the South of France will not easily for- 

 get the picturesque beauty of Antibes, situated halfway between Nice 

 and Cannes, with a magnificent view of Nice sheltered by snow- 

 covered mountains on the one hand, and on the other the Estrelle 

 and the historic island of Sainte Marguerite. The brilliant canvas of 

 Horace Vemet in the Louvre recalls the time when Antibes was not 

 only picturesc^ue, but an important naval station of France ; but now 

 the only excitment is an occasional cavalcade of English tourists from 

 Cannes, and the inhabitants are as tranquil as the remains of their 

 Koman amphitheatre. Situated on a slight eminence of what is known 

 as the Cap d' Antibes, M. Thuret's house commanded a beautiful view 

 of the Bay of Nice, and on clear mornings the tips of the mountains 

 of Corsica could be seen in the far south. The lawn which extended 

 on both sides of the house was in the spring brilliant with the flowers 

 of Anemone coronaria, while clambering over the porch and covering 

 one side of the house was a magnificent Boiigainvillea, whose purplish- 

 rose flowers were in striking contrast with the smaller Cacti and suc- 

 culent plants beneath. On the opposite side of the house stood a 

 group of odd-looking Proteaceous plants in fruit, which seemed like 

 strangers who had just stepped out of the house to enjoy the view. 

 Beyond the lawn rose a cluster of shrubs and trees, the central point 

 of which was a large Eucalyptus globulus, whose dark drooping leaves 

 were relieved by brilliant masses of Acacia blossoms, whoso fragrance 

 filled the garden. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the beauties of the 

 garden, upon the rock work covered with rare species of Sedum, Scmper- 

 vivum, Mesemhrymithemum, Aloe, the curious shrubs hidden under the 

 trees, the Liliacea, which the visitor from the north could hardly believe 

 were growing wild, the vivid green of the camphor trees, the sombre 

 drooping Casuarhm, the glittering foliage of Grevillea robusta, or the 

 picturesque irregularity of the olives. 



Surrounded by all that a dcliglitful climate and a prolific vegeta- 

 tion could afford, Thuret devoted himself without interruption to 

 the care of his garden and to his studies in the company of his friend, 

 Dr. Edouaixl Bornet, a pupil of Lcveille, with wliom he had become 

 acQuainted in Paris, and with whom he had passed considerable time 

 at Cherbourg. Between these two botanists there existed a most inti- 

 mate friendship. Although personally very unlike, they were one in 

 sympathy, one in their devotion to science, in their love of minute 



