56 MEMOIRS OF 



with in the organisation of insects raised his 

 genius to elevated thonghts ; and such was his 

 opinion of Entomology in later life, that he as- 

 serted, " If I had not studied insects from 

 choice when I was at college, I should have 

 done so later, from a conviction of its necessity." 

 An anecdote is related of him by M. Audouin*, 

 in his Discourse, read at the Entomological So- 

 ciety of Paris, which proves still furtlier the 

 value he set upon such pursuits. A young 

 student of medicine came to him one day, and 

 ventured to tell liim, that he had discovered 

 something new and remarkable in dissecting a 

 human subject. " Are you an Entomologist?" 

 asked M. Cuvier. — " No," replied the student. 

 — *' Well, then," returned M. Cuvier, *' go and 

 anatomise an insect, I care not which, the 

 largest you can find, then re-consider your ob- 

 servation, and if it appear to be correct, I will 

 believe you on your word." The young man 

 submitted cheerfully to the proof; and soon 

 after, having acquired more skill and more 

 judgment, went again to M. Cuvier, to thank 

 him for his advice, and, at the same time, to 



* Professor of Entomology at the Jardin des" Plantes, 

 having succeeded to the chair recently vacated by the death 

 of M. Latreille. 



