BARON CUVIER. 311 



too high with his studies that the lower organic 

 forms furnished stepping stones to a knowledge of the 

 higher. Cuvier replied, "You are now on the right 

 road, go on." 



When Cuvier observed a student laboring hard 

 yet unsuccessfully over a knotty point in zoology, and 

 he was sure nothing but waste of time and discour- 

 agement could be the upshot of it, he would patiently 

 contribute moments precious to him, in order to un- 

 ravel the student's tangle. 



His purse was ever open to the needy and unfor- 

 tunate of all who came to Paris to gain an understand- 

 ing of natural science. Young men quartered in gar- 

 rets to save expense, or to eke out a scanty income, 

 were frequently aroused from their studies and medi- 

 tations by a gentle tap at the door and the entrance 

 of their revered master. He would come as if enter- 

 ing the chamber of a peer, and with a respectful salu- 

 tation offer the assistance he saw was so much needed. 

 If sickness assailed them, no rest was known till he 

 had procured medical advice and relief. Himself 

 keenly alive to the slighest rudeness or neglect, and 

 grateful for the smallest proof of affection, he knew 

 how to give, not only with a liberal hand, but with 

 a delicacy which never wounded the most sensitive 

 temper. 



Cuvier in his scientific labors did not take up a 

 subject and pursue it until the topic was exhausted, 

 but he kept one branch of study quite in advance of 

 another, making the foremost contribute to the prog- 

 ress of the rest. He did not always follow the plans 

 he laid down for others to pursue, but occasionally 

 took a point in the midst of things and worked his 

 way out as best he could ; and in so doing he fre- 



