MEMOIR OF GESNER. 35 



find Theodore Beza, and many others of scarcely 

 inferior name. 



It may be inferred, from what has been already 

 said regarding the frailty of Gesner's constitution, 

 that there was little likelihood of his attaining an 

 advanced age, even if he had escaped the contagion 

 which carried him off. The delicacy of his health 

 was indicated by a paUid and almost emaciated 

 countenance, the general expression of which was, 

 however, highly agreeable, and indicative of great 

 sensibiUty. His forehead was broad, high, and pro- 

 minent, marked with numerous deep WTinkles, the 

 result of severe study and profound thought. His 

 nose was long and elevated, w ithout being aquiline ; 

 his lips thin ; mouth expressive and agreeable. His 

 beard was copious, long and dense, slightly curled 

 or undulating, " lenitatis ingenii indicium esse 

 potest," says his biographer Schmiedel, on whose 

 authority we wish the statement to rest. Various 

 portraits exist, corresponding to this description; 

 that prefixed to this memoir is taken from one 

 which w^e regard as the most characteristic. 



The voluminous works of Gesner may be di- 

 vided into three classes ; first, those on literary 

 subjects; secondly, those relating to medicine and 

 the materia medica ; and, thirdly, those on natural 

 history. 



As it is most appropriate to the purpose we have 

 at present in view to consider Gesner as a natju- 

 ralist, we do not propose to enter, in this place, into 

 a very minute detail of his numerous productions 



