26 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 
Natural History which led to the organization of the 
present Museum of Natural History as it is to-day. 
Throughout the proceedings, Lamarck, as at the out- 
set, took a prominent part, his address having led the 
Assembly to invite the officers of the double estab- 
lishment to draw up rules for its government. 
The officers met together August 23d, and their 
distrust and hostility against the Intendant were 
shown by their nomination of Daubenton, the Nestor 
of the French savants, to the presidency, although 
La Billarderie, as representing the royal authority, 
was present at the meeting. At the second meeting 
(August 24th) he took no part in the proceedings, 
and absented himself from the third, held on August 
27,1790. It will be seen that even while the office 
of Intendant lasted, that official took no active part 
in the meetings or in the work of the institution, 
and from that day to this it has been solely under 
the management of a director and scientific corps of 
professors, all of them original investigators as well 
as teachers. Certainly the most practical and efficient 
sort of organization for such an establishment.* 
of Gui de la Brosse. By his disinterestedness, activity, and great 
scientific capacity, he regenerated the garden, and under his admin- 
istration flourished the great professors, Duverney, Tournefort, Geof- 
froy the chemist, and others (Perrier, 1. c., p. 59). | Fagon was suc- 
ceed by Buffon, ‘‘the new legislator and second founder.” His 
Intendancy lasted from 1739 to 1788. 
* Three days after, August 30th, the report was ready, the discussion 
began, and the foundations of the new organization were definitely laid. 
‘“No longer any Jardin or Cabinets, but a Museum of Natural His- 
tory, whose aim was clearly defined. No officers with unequal func- 
tions; all are professors and all will give instruction. They elect 
themselves and present to the king a candidate for each vacant place. 
Finally, the general administration of the Museum will be confided to 
the officers of the establishment, this implying the suppression of the 
Intendancy.” (Hamy, I. c., p. 37-) 
