278 Biography of M. Bosc. 



them to Lacepede ; birds, to Desniarest ; reptiles, to M. La- 

 treille. Whoever laboured in any department of natural his- 

 tory, was sure to obtain from M. Bosc all that he possessed, 

 and of learning all that he knew. It was only after enriching 

 so many writers with the fruits of his labours, that he deter- 

 mined to profit by them himself. 



M. Bosc, on returning to France, found every thing there 

 reduced to peace. The men with whom he was connected in 

 friendship and fellowship of sentiment were in credit, and the 

 places which he had occupied could not fail to be restored to 

 him. However, tired of being baUoted from one ministry to 

 another, and frightened at the idea of becoming dependent, he 

 accepted,' with joy, the situation of inspector of the gardens of 

 Versailles, which Count Chaptal obtained for him, and to which 

 he fixed himself. 



M. Bosc's principal writings are to be found in the Dict'um- 

 naire des Sciences Naturelles. Any other would have px-efer- 

 red employing his rich materials for a work which was not col- 

 lective ; but here, as in every other case, M. Bosc looked only 

 to utility, and took no care of the interests of his self-love. For 

 the same reason he held his Cours d^ Agriculture in greater es- 

 timation than all his other works. The second edition of that 

 collection appears especially to have occupied his whole atten- 

 tion. " I have not read a book," he writes, " I have not as- 

 sisted at a society meeting, nor taken a walk in the gardens or 

 fields, without taking notes; and these notes have been ar- 

 ranged so as in a few days to be intercalated in the articles to 

 which they refer."" 



This was his constant method of labouring. Every one may 

 have seen the beautiful collection which he formed near the 

 Luxembourg of our principal varieties of vines. The kingdom 

 produces upwards of 1400. To compare them, determine 

 their permanent characters, ascertain the circumstances best 

 adapted for their thriving, and then propagate by preference 

 the most advantageous with reference to each kind of soil, ex- 

 posure and latitude would be a labour of the highest import- 

 ance, and one whose advantages might be immense with respect 

 to our territorial riches. 



