130 MEMOIRS OF 



In noticino: the Icbthvolou'v, I have had occa- 

 sioii to speak of ?»I. Cuvier as the historian of 

 the science to which he was devoted ; and this 

 leads me to mention here, tlie annual reports 

 made by him at the Institute, in which, from 

 the age of twenty-six, he had been accustomed 

 to lay before that body the labours of its mem- 

 bers and correspondents, thereby forming a 

 general history of science from that period till 

 his death. In these " Analyses des Parties Phy- 

 siques des Travaux de 1' Academic des Sciences," 

 we see the universality of his genius and acquire- 

 ments ; and, like almost all his other undertakings, 

 we may consider tliis mass of reports, and the 

 qualifications necessary for the making of them, 

 as alone sufficient for the employment of a life. 

 They comprehend, first, Meteoro'ogy and Natural 

 Philosophy in general ; secondly. Chemistry and 

 Physics, properly so called, and when the explan- 

 ation of the facts did not demand calculation j 

 thirdly. Mineralogy and Geology ; fourthly. Vege- 

 table Physiology and Botany ; fiftlily. Anatomy 



the surviving friends of M. Cuvier will one day publish his 

 opinions separated from liis great works, so that they may be 

 accessible to those who may not have either time or oppor- 

 tunity to seek them in the general tenor of his publications. 



