24 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 
cavalier way stricken off from the rolls of the Royal 
Garden, he at once prepared, printed, and distributed 
among the members of the National Assembly an 
energetic claim for restoration to his office.* His 
defence formed two brochures; in one he gave an 
account of his life, travels, and works, and in the 
other he showed that the place which he filled was 
a pressing necessity, and could not be conveniently 
or usefully added to that of the professor of botany, 
who was already overworked. 
This manly and able plea in his own defence also 
comprised a broad, comprehensive plan for the organ- 
ization and development of a great national museum, 
combining both vast collections and adequate means 
of public instruction. The paper briefly stated, in 
courteous language, what he wished to say to public 
men, in general animated with good intentions, but 
little versed in the study of the sciences and the 
knowledge of their application. It praised, in fit 
terms, the work of the National Assembly, and gave, 
without too much emphasis, the assurance of an en- 
tire devotion to the public business. Then in a very 
clear and comprehensive way were given all the kinds 
of service which an establishment like the Royal 
Garden should render to the sciences and arts, and 
especially to agriculture, medicine, commerce, etc. 
Museums, galleries, and botanical gardens; public lec- 
s, 2 
tures and demonstrations in the museum and school 
* Hamy, |. c., p. 29. This brochure, of which I possess a copy, 
is a small quarto pamphlet of fifteen pages, signed, on the last page, 
“7. B. Lamarck, ancien Officier au Régiment de Leaujolais, de 
L’ Academie des Sciences de Paris, Botantste attaché au Cabinet d’ His- 
totre Naturelle du Jardin des Plantes.” 
