126 EMINENT NATURALISTS. 



In 1808 Cuvier, in his character of secretary, wrote 

 a report on the progress of the natural sciences from 

 the year 1789. A mere report was demanded, but 

 the author produced one of the most voluminous 

 treatises that had ever appeared. This report was 

 presented to the emperor, and in the same year, 

 when Napoleon created the Imperial University, 

 Cuvier was made one of the councillors for life, and 

 was thus brought constantly into the immediate 

 presence of the emperor. 



In 1810 he commenced a series of journeys for 

 the purpose of organizing the foreign department 

 for public instruction. He began with the academies 

 of the Italian States, then examined those of Holland, 

 and finally those of Lower Germany. These 

 journeys were doubly useful to him by establishing 

 his health, which had suffered in consequence of his 

 incessant labours, and by giving him an opportunity 

 of visiting the museums of those countries, where lie 

 took drawings of new objects, particularly of the 

 fossil remains of Tuscany, of which he had procured 

 a great number. 



In 1811 his most important scientific work appeared 

 — that on fossil remains ; and he also wrote admirable 

 reports from Holland and the Hanseatic towns. 



While at Hamburg the title of Chevalier was 

 conferred upon him by the Emperor, and assured 

 to his heirs. But worldly honours were not to be 

 transmitted to his posterity; for after losing a 

 daughter four years of age in 1812, he was bereaved 

 of his son in 1813, who was seven years of age. 



