50 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 



of the sale of this edition, the author would be very 

 much pleased, and would doubtless not expect any 

 further aid. But it would cost the nation a great 

 deal, and I believe that this useful project could be 

 carried through with greater economy. 



" Indeed, if the nation will give me twenty thousand 

 francs, in a single payment, I will take the whole re- 

 sponsibility, and I agree, if I live, that before the 

 expiration of seven years the Systeme de la Nature in 

 French, with the complemental addition, the correc- 

 tions, and the convenient explanations, shall be at the 

 disposition of all those who love or study natural 

 history." 



