44 HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM. 



time supplied the place of a nursery. The trans- 

 verse alleys which separate them J were plant- 

 ed with trees of different species. 



All these operations were confided to the su- 

 perintendance of M. Thouin, and finished in 1784. 



Still the enclosure extended , on the north , 

 only to the botanic garden and the adjacent hill 

 planted with ever - greens. The ground oppo- 

 site the scientific garden , at the entrance of the 

 alley of horse-chesnuts , belonged to a private 

 company, who destined it for building; but Buf- 

 fon determined the government to purchase it. 

 As it was below the adjacent level, bordered 

 by terraces, and thus sheltered towards the north 

 and west, the seed-beds were removed thither, 

 as well as those plants which required peculiar 

 care ; and a subterranean passage was formed, 

 under the avenue, to the botanic garden. These 

 changes being effected in 1786, the terrace on 

 which the seed-beds had been placed in 1774? 

 was destined for a large hot-house ; which was 

 built two years after, and which bears the name 

 of Buffon. 



The garden had been doubled in extent by the 

 late acquisitions, the distribution of it was re- 

 gular and beautiful, and every possible advan- 

 tage was offered for the culture and study of 

 vegetables; but the perfection of one part of 



