AUGUSTIN-PYRAMUS DE CANDOLLE. 297 
mine. No cloud ever threw a shadow over our alliance, which be- 
came closer yet when, at a later period, the friendly connection of 
my wife with the widowed Madame Say determined the latter to 
marry Duméril. He was chief demonstrator in the anatomical de- 
partment at the School of Medicine, but he became professor and 
member of the Academy of Sciences. Duméril was remarkable 
rather for the clearness of his ideas, and the variety and accuracy of 
his knowledge in natural history, than for theoretical principles. He 
was a practical man, whose elementary works had considerable suc- 
cess, but who, after having had a glimpse of some of the laws of or- 
ganic symmetry, such as the analogy of the skull to vertebra, seemed 
to have collapsed before their immensity. His principal services to 
science were in the way of teaching, and in the encouragement which 
he so well knew how to give to the young. The heart in this kind 
of influence is more essential than the head, and although Duméril’s 
judgment was clear and quick, he was much more remarkable for his 
moral qualities. 
“Cuvier, who was from the beginning the intimate friend of Du- 
méril, was entirely different ; and it would be difficult to find two 
people who were less analogous. Born at Montbéliard and brought 
up at Stuttgart, Cuvier had something of the gravity and even of the 
obstinacy of the German. Placed for some time in an inferior posi- 
tion, he was forced from his youth to make up for it by the dignity 
of his manner; but the world of savans, at least, will never forget 
his sojourn in Normandy, where he made those beautiful investiga- 
tions on the molluscs which were the beginning of his fame. Called 
afterwards to the Jardin des Plantes as assistant to the aged Mer- 
trud, he owed this position to the friendship of Geoffroy ; but he 
soon surpassed his patron. In consequence of this position he was a 
member of the Institute from its foundation, and quickly acquired 
the reputation which results from great talent united toa skillful 
ambition. At the time when the office of secretary was annual he 
foresaw it would become perpetual, and arranged in such a manner 
as to fill one secretaryship almost continually, either himself or by 
others; so that he found himself in position to have it without con- 
test when it became permanent and well paid. These first steps 
being taken, all places fell to him as of themselves, and we saw him 
successively Professor of the Ecoles Centrales, of the College de 
France, at the Jardin des Plantes, Inspector, then Councillor, then 
Chancellor of the University, Councillor of State, Baron, Reer of 
France, etc., ete. His talent, his aptitude for knowing and doing 
