FIRST PERIOD. l5 



to the title. It is thus that the magnificent col- 

 lection of drawings of plants and animals has 

 been formed, which was at first deposited in the 

 king's library, and which is now the most valua- 

 ble part of that of the Museum. 



Yallot dying in 167 1 , Colbert united the super- 

 intendance of the garden to that of the king's 

 buildings , already held by himself, leaving to the 

 first physician the title of intendant only, with the 

 direction of the cultivation. In the month of De- 

 cember he procured a declaration from the king, 

 regulating the administration of the garden , 

 and gave commissions to the professors defining 

 their duties. From this moment the establishment 

 assumed increasing importance, and it would have 

 advanced still more rapidly had the principal ad- 

 ministration not been united with other offices. 



Dacquin first physician and intendant of the 

 garden in 1672, favoured exclusively the study of 

 anatomy, which was therefore taught with signal 

 success , especially by the celebrated Guichard 

 Joseph Duverney, named professor in 1679. The 

 lectures of this learned man attracted a great con- 

 course of pupils. 



Fagon who had for several years filled the bo- 

 tanical and chemical chairs with applause , being 

 encumbered with other duties, meditated the re- 

 signation of his place , and wishing to appoint a 



