90 THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



PIERRE One of the most distinguished naturalists, mathematicians and philosophers 



GASSENDI O f France. 1624, wrote his " Paradoxical Exercises against the Aristotelians" 

 ( I 59 2 ' It> 55)- which earned him the influence of Nicolas Peiresc, President of the University 

 of Aix. He then studied Astronomy and Anatomy, and wrote a treatise to 

 show that man was intended to be a Vegetarian. 1628, he visited Holland, and 

 wrote an Examination of Robert Fludd's Mosaic philosophy. 1631, he observed 

 the Transit of Merciiry over the Stints disc, foretold by Kepler. 1641, he was 

 called to Paris, and wrote a metaphysical Disquisition on Doubts upon the 

 " Meditations " of his friend Descartes : they became estranged and reconciled. 

 Gassendfs philosophy of Atoms and a Void was founded iipon the Doctrines of 

 Democrats and Epicurtis. 1645, appointed Professor of Mathematics in the 

 College Roy ale de Paris by influence of Cardinal dti Pies sis. 1647, published 

 his chief work on " The Life and Morals of Epicums" which rehabilitated this 

 philosopher ; and in 1653, the Lives of Tycho Braht, Copernicus, and other 

 Astronomei-s. 



Bayle styled him '''the greatest philosopher among scholars, and the greatest 

 scholar among philosophers" 



A S concerning Plants, it may be expected that I should in this 

 *""* place reckon up the principal of them ; yet I will not stand 

 to speak of such, which though accounted rare are to be seen 

 in other Gardens. I shall only touch at some of those which 

 Peireskius was the first, that caused to be brought into, and 

 cherished in Europe. Of which the Indian Gelsemine is one, 

 a wooddy plant, always green, with a clay-coloured yellowish 

 flower, of a most sweet smell. 



This was first brought from China, planted at Beaugensier, and 

 from thence propagated into the King's and Cardinal Barlerine 

 his Gardens. . . . The next is a plant called Lifa, or the Gourd 

 of Meccha . . . also the true Papyrus ^Egyptia or ^Egyptian 

 paper . . . also the Indian Coco Nuts. ... In the next place, 

 Ginger, which being brought out of India did wax green in his 

 Garden, from whence it was sent to Paris, to Vidus Brosseus, a 

 famous Physician, the chief storer of the King's Garden, and 

 principal shewer thereof. . . . 



I say nothing of the broad-leaved Myrtle, with the full flower 

 of the Storax, and Lentise-Tree, which yields Mastick : and other 

 plants mentioned before. Much lesse shall I speak of the great 

 American Gelsemine, with the Crimson-coloured flower, not of the 



