gb HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM. 



These cells are but temporary, and do not ac- 

 cord with the rest of the menagerie : an adjoin- 

 ing wood yard might be properly occupied by an 

 aviary, and a lodge for the smaller quadrupeds. 

 Contiguous to the birds of prey is a court for 

 domestic fowls. 



But if the design of the menagerie had been 

 completed, it would not have had the desired in- 

 fluence on zoology, without a peculiar organisa- 

 tion connecting it with the different branches of 

 that science. The zoological professor was very 

 properly at its head ; but it was impossible for 

 him, occupied with his lectures, correspondence, 

 and arrangements in the cabinet, to superintend 

 its details. It was necessary therefore to appoint 

 a keeper devoted to this duty, and qualified to 

 make the requisite observations. On the 21st of 

 December i8o5, the administration made choice 

 of M. Frederic Cuvier, brother to the professor, 

 favourably known by his memoirs in the Annals 

 of the Museum ; and at the same time framed a set 

 regulations, in consequence of which the animals 

 are not only properly placed and taken care of, 

 but are observed in every circumstance of their 

 habits, gestation etc. ; those that arrive are im- 

 mediately compared with the analogous species, 

 and such as are wanting for the purposes of sci- 

 ence or of rural economy are demanded in foreign 



