34 MEMOIR OF 



especially of the invertebral animals, whose history 

 he had undertaken, and of which his friend had 

 made more than a thousand drawings. These ani- 

 mals still exist in spirit of wine; the drawings were 

 executed from the recent animals ; and M. Lesueur, 

 who assisted in collecting them, could supply much 

 information concerning their habits, and their mode 

 of life. 



For a systematic analysis of the different memoirs 

 which Peron read to the Institute, and other learned 

 bodies, and an exhibition of the new facts and the 

 important results which these papers contain, we re- 

 fer the student to an eloge in the 7th vol. of Mem. 

 de la Soc. d' Emulation, wherein M. Alard has per 

 formed the task in a manner that admits of no im- 

 provement. 



With regard to his moral character, Peron not 

 only gained the esteem and friendship of those with 

 whom he associated, but also acquired an extraor- 

 dinary ascendancy over them. He was also most 

 disinterested and generous. The minister conceiv- 

 ing that his small pension was altogether insufficient 

 for his requirements, wished to appoint him to some 

 lucrative and honourable post. " Sir," he replied, 

 " I have devoted my life to Science, and no bribe 

 would tempt me to spend my time in other pursuits. 

 If I had an office I should discharge its duties, but 

 I am not at liberty so to dispose of myself." When 

 he was entrusted with the preparation of the account 

 of the voyage, he betook himself to a small apart- 

 ment near the Museum, along with his friend Le- 



