Biographical Sketch of Alexander Brongniart. 95 



coveries respecting the fossil bones of the chalk formations 

 of Montmartre, are the most original of all those which -will 

 preserve his name to future ages. These discoveries could 

 not be placed in their proper category ; it veas even impos- 

 sible to deduce the resulting principles from them, until the 

 formations in the neighbourhhod of Paris should be examined 

 mineralogically, and classed geologically in the order of their 

 position. The eminently judicious mind of Cuvier felt the 

 need of being assisted in carrying out, in the most complete 

 manner, researches having such a special object. M. Brong- 

 niart had travelled in 1808, in Auvergne, where he had 

 pointed out formations as being made in fresh water, in- 

 asmuch as they contained only river shells in a^ossil state. 

 This was an entirely new application of zoology to the 

 study of mineral deposits. M. Cuvier at once perceived 

 the fellow-labourer which nature had destined for him, 

 not as another Daubenton, (in itself a connection so glo- 

 rious), but as a mind of similar complexion and wonderful 

 originality, adapted to his own. Already prepared for the 

 task by his previous studies of the Montmartre gypsum and 

 Champigny limestone, himself the chief of the school, and 

 seconded in certain details by pupils, then young, and since 

 become celebrated professors, M. Beudant, M. Constant 

 Prevost, and the younger M. Desmarest, IM. Brongniart 

 presented to the first class of the Institute, in the month of 

 April 1810, in concert with M. Cuvier, the Essay on the Miner- 

 alogical Geography of the Neighhourhood of Paris, which first 

 appeared in the Journal des Mines, and soon became so cele- 

 brated. Reprinted in 1811, with additional development, 

 this work, in which the first rules for the application of zoo- 

 logical determinations, for the pui'pose of characterising for- 

 mations are laid down, and which has ever since continued 

 to be the classical type of works of the same kind, opened to 

 M. Brongniart, in 181.5, the doors of the Academy of Sciences. 

 He replaced in that institution the indefatigable explorer of 

 the volcanoes of Auvergne, Desmarest, whom he surpassed 

 in reputation. 



M. Brongniart never knew repose. His admission to the 

 Academy redoubled his activity. Animated with an enthu- 



