BARON CUVIER. 121 



he seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, the 

 lumber of authors multiplied to such a degree, that it was 

 mpossible for him to do more than select the most impor- 

 :ant, and he was obliged to divide science itself into several 

 oranches, in order to be more easily comprehended. The 

 I first branch thus noticed was anatomy, the progress of 

 I which he traced to the middle of the seventeenth century. 

 He in like manner treated zoology, and the travels which 

 threw light upon it. He then proceeded to botany, mine- 

 ralogy, and chemistry, bringing each down to the same 

 period. 



The discoveries of Galileo and Descartes were consider- 

 ed in the eleventh lecture of the second course, and the in- 

 fluence they and their writings shed over natural sciences. 

 To this influence may be attributed the formation of the 

 different academies of science, the history of which, toge- 

 ther with that of the celebrated men who composed them 

 at their commencement, formed a most interesting lecture. 

 Then, having proved by cited works and discoveries, that 

 the seventeenth century was the great era of science, and 

 having finished the history of this period in all its scienti- 

 |fic bearings, M. Cuvier closed his second course by sum- 

 |ming up all that had been said in an abridged form. 



The third course began with the eighteenth century, 

 which, like its predecessors, passed in review, though from 

 its importance and activity, it, in several instances, required 

 even more division into parts, and various features of it de- 

 manded especial notice. To Buffon, for instance, M. Cu- 

 vier devoted two entire lectures, which at the time were 

 thought to be the most beautiful and eloquent he had ever 

 delivered. This third course was interrupted from the pre- 

 ceding Easter till the December following, when he re- 

 jj. opened it for the purpose of continuing his history from 

 .?, the time of Buffon. He first gave a clear and eloquent 

 of 'resume of the philosophy of Kant, of Fichte, and of Schel- 

 he ling ; and one day in every week was set apart by him, 

 it notwithstanding his increased duties as a peer of France, 

 ijs for the continuation of this immense undertaking. The 

 a interval of repose which followed, and which was absolute- 

 o: ;y necessary for his health, was prolonged much beyond 

 lis calculation by the dreadful visitation of the cholera ; 



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