12 MEMOIR OF CUVIER. 



he made use of the comparison of the recent with the fossil 

 species, and- which commenced a totally new era in our 

 investigation of the structure of the world. 



From this period, Cuvier gradually, but surely, rose in- 

 knowledge and in honors. The National Institute was 

 erected, and he became one of its 'earliest members. Soon 

 after, he was requested to accompany the memorable 

 expedition to Egypt, as one of the scientific attendants ; 

 but he respectfully declined the appointment, conscious 

 that he could do more for science at home, in examining 

 the collections which were to be remitted, than by attempt- 

 ing to study amidst the turmoil of camps and war. The 

 return of that expedition found him Secretary to the Insti- 

 tute an annual office ; when Napoleon, aspiring to every 

 kind of glory, assumed the title of President, and Cuvier 

 was thus placed in immediate contact with the First Consul. 

 Napoleon early perceived his worth and abilities, and, 

 upon remodelling the Colleges, and commencing the estab- 

 lishment of schools in the different departments of France, 

 called in his assistance. This assistance he most willingly 

 gave, and, though new to the task, which was one of great 

 fatigue and difficulty, he performed it to the satisfaction of 

 his first, as well as that of his subsequent employers, and 

 successfully superintended the establishment of the 

 Lyceums of Marseilles and Bordeaux, which are now 

 Royal Colleges. 



During his necessary absence from Paris upon this mis- 

 sion, the Institute was re-organized, and perpetual Secre- 

 taries were appointed for the several branches. M. Cuvier 

 found himself elected to fill that office in the class of 

 Natural Sciences, with a salary of 6000 francs. This office 

 he held till his death; and it was his duty to draw up 

 annually, a report of the proceedings and discoveries of 

 the year that had passed. These were written with great 

 clearness and impartiality, and now form a valuable record 

 of the Natural Sciences during a period of thirty-six years. 



