26 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 



Natural History which led to the organization of the 

 present Museum of Natural History as it is to-day. 

 Throughout the proceedings, Lamarck, as at the out- 

 set, took a prominent part, his address having led the 

 Assembly to invite the ofificers of the double estab- 

 lishment to draw up rules for its government. 



The ofificers met together August 23d, and their 

 distrust and hostility against the Intendant were 

 shown by their nomination of Daubenton, the Nestor 

 of the French savants, to the presidency, although 

 La Billarderie, as representing the royal authority, 

 was present at the meeting. At the second meeting 

 (August 24th) he took no part in the proceedings, 

 and absented himself from the third, held on August 

 27, 1790. It will be seen that even while the office 

 of Intendant lasted, that official took no active part 

 in the meetings or in the work of the institution, 

 and from that day to this it has been solely under 

 the management of a director and scientific corps of 

 professors, all of them ' original investigators as well 

 as teachers. Certainly the most practical and efficient 

 sort of organization for such an establishment.* 



of Gui de la Brosse. By his disinterestedness, activity, and great 

 scientific capacity, he regenerated the garden, and tinder his admin- 

 istration flourished the great professors, Duverney, Tournefort, Geof- 

 Iroy the chemist, and others (Perrier, I. c, p. 59). r'agon was suc- 

 ceed by Buffon, " the new legislator and second founder." His 

 Intendancy lasted from 1739 to 1788. 



* Three days after, August 30th, the report was ready, the discussion- 

 began, and the foundations of the new organization were definitely laid. 

 " No longer any Jardin or Cabinets, but a Museum of Natural His- 

 tory, whose aim was clearly defined. No officers with unequal func- 

 tions ; all are professors and all will give instruction. They elect 

 themselves and present to the king a candidate for each vacant place. 

 Finally, the general administration of the Museum will be confided to 

 the officers of the establishment, this implying the suppression of the 

 Intendancy." (Hamy, 1. c, p. 37.) 



