MEMOIR OF DAUBENTON. 195 



was useful to Buffon, and that the latter ought to have 

 been so thankful for having formed the connection. 



It was about the year 1742 that Buffon took him to 

 Paris. The situation of Curator and Demonstrator in 

 the Cabinet of Natural History was almost a sinecure ; 

 the individual who possessed the title, named Moguez, 

 having lived for a long time in the country ; and the 

 duties, such as they were, were fulfilled from time to 

 time by some one attached to the Garden. Buffon 

 caused this office to be revived for Daubenton, and it 

 was conferred on him by brevet in 1745. The emolu- 

 ments, which at first did not exceed 500 francs, were 

 gradually increased to 4000 francs. When he became 

 connected with the Academy of Sciences, Buffon, who 

 was treasurer, made him several gratuities. From the 

 time of his arrival in Paris, he likewise provided him 

 with a place of residence. In a word, he neglected 

 nothing to provide for him that ease which is necessary 

 for every man of letters, and every one who wishes to 

 occupy himself with nothing but science. 



Daubenton, on his part, devoted himself, without in- 

 terruption, to investigations fitted to second the views 

 of his benefactor, and he erected, by means of these 

 labours, the two principal monuments of his own 

 glory. 



One of the two, although not a printed book, is a 

 book not less beautiful than instructive, since it is 

 almost that of Nature ; I speak of the Cabinet of Natural 

 History in the Jardin des Plantes. Before Daubenton's 



