l(ri DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



but there can no where be found an equal as- 

 semblage disposed in the order of their natural 

 affinities, and consisting of the vegetables of every 

 climate which it is possible to raise from the 

 seed in- Europe. By comparing the list with the 

 species published since Linnaeus, we are enabled 

 to distinguish such as are well ascertained from 

 such as are doubtful, and to seek abroad those 

 that are still wanting. 



This garden at first consisted of a collection of 

 medicinal plants, mostly indigenous; it was en- 

 riched by Tournefort with a few exotics, but 

 it extended only to the extremity of the hot- 

 house in front of the small hill, and though the 

 trees and shrubs had been removed, it was too 

 small to contain all the species. At the solicita- 

 tion of M. de Jussieu, Buff on trebled its extent, 

 and encircled it with an iron railing, in 1 774 : 

 at the same time the plants were disposed in 

 their natural order. Not long after it was found 

 still too confined, and was augmented one fourth 

 in 1788: in 1802, M. Desfontaines assembled all 

 the species lately arrived, those dispersed in the 

 parterres, the green-house, and the seed-garden, 

 and others in the possession of individuals, and 

 planted it anew. It now contains six thousand 

 five hundred species ; and as more are received 

 than perish, the number is annually increasing. 



