PARIS. 383 



formed by the reader, when he is told that it was proposed 

 to construct a small winding staircase in the interior of one 

 of the fore-legs. Two or three workmen are still employ- 

 ed in laying the solid platform or pediment ; but the work 

 goes on very drowsily, — and what the superstructure may 

 be, is perhaps not yet finally determined. Among the rub- 

 bish of the old building, and on the margin of the ditch, 

 the botanist may pick up Sisymbrium Sophia and tenuifo- 

 lium, Delphinium consolida, liumex maritimus, Lactuca 

 scariola, and Erigcron canadense *. 



Jardin de Plantes. 



Passing the Seine by the Bridge of Austerlitz, the noble 

 esplanade in front of the main entrance of the Garden of 

 Plants excited our admiration. On entering, we began a 

 kind of systematical examination of this national garden ; 

 and although copious, and doubtless correct descriptions 

 of all parts of the establishment have been given to the 

 world in successive volumes of the first series of the " An- 

 nates du Museum,'" from the pens of Professors Jussieu 

 and Thouin, we shall not scruple to lay before the reader 

 the notes which we took, adding our remarks in the order 

 in which they occurred, although they may thus sometimes 

 appear rather desultory. 



The grounds include about 70 acres ; and the principal 

 part of the garden being of an oblong shape, two broad and 

 straight gravel- walks lead directly from the Seine gate to 

 the Museum buildings. These walks, as well as the larger 



* In order to get access to the site of the Bastille and see the model of 

 the elephant, it is now necessary to make application for an order (which 

 is given freely), at the Bureau for French Monuments, No, 319. Rue St 

 Hon ore. 



