828 Baron CuvieFs Lectures on the Natural Sciences. 



same result has been obtained from the other alluvial deposites. 

 In short, whatever may have been the natural phenomenon that 

 has been interrogated, it has always been found to give evidence 

 in accordance with that of tradition. The traditions themselves 

 exhibit the most astonishing conformity. The Hebrew text of 

 Genesis places the deluge in the year 2349 before Christ. The 

 Indians make the fourth age of the world, that in which we now 

 live, commence at the year 3012. The Chinese place it about 

 the year 2384. Confucius, in fact, represents the first king 

 Yao as occupied in drawing off the waters of the ocean, which 

 had risen to the tops of the mountains, and in repairing the da- 

 mage which they had caused. 



Men assuredly did not begin to cultivate the sciences until 

 long after this epoch. Astronomy is that of which traces are 

 found at the most remote period, and it would seem to have ori- 

 ginated in several countries at the same time. The first obser- 

 vation of an eclipse made by the Chinese, and of which the 

 authenticity has been established, was in the year 776 A. C. 

 At Babylon, the most ancient observation made by the Chal- 

 deans was in the year 747 A. C. It has been said, indeed, 

 that Callysthcnes sent from Babylon to Aristotle a series of 

 observations which comprehended a space of 1900 years ; but 

 this assertion, which first made its appearance in Synesius, a 

 writer of the sixth century, deserves no trust. Aristotle, who 

 speaks of astronomy in various parts of his works, would not 

 have omitted so important a fact. 



It has been supposed that in the zodiacs, painted on the walls 

 of certain temples in Egypt, a proof was to be found that astro- 

 nomy had been cultivated in that country from a very remote 

 period. But whatever interpretation is given of these zodiacs, 

 we have now, thanks to M. ChampoUion's discoveries, certain 

 information respecting the antiquity of these temples ; that of 

 Denderah, in particular, was built in the reign of Tiberius, and 

 bears the name of Nero. Another was built in the reign of Do- 

 mitian. It may theiefore be considered as sufficiently proved, 

 that the sciences had not acquired any degree of improvement 

 tuitil the eightli centurv before the Christian era ; notwith- 

 standing great nations had been formed in several parts of the 

 earth some centuries earlier. Fifteen hundred years before 



