58o DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



brated painter differ in style from those of Ro- 

 bert ; they have not the finish which is the re- 

 sult of patience, but we remark in them that 

 boldness of pencil and harmony of tint that cha- 

 racterize the superior artist, and they may be 

 said to be perfect models of flower painting. 

 They are not numerous ; for M. Van Spaendonck, 

 whom the king often called upon for large 

 paintings, devolved this part of his duties upon 

 the distinguished artist who has since been en- 

 trusted with the continuance of the work(i). 



M. Marechal, who at the new organization of 

 the Museum was chosen by the administration 

 to paint mammiferous animals and birds, sur- 

 passed in this branch all his predecessors. Of 

 his paintings, we possess 66 of mammalia, 80 of 

 anatomy, and 3o of other objects of natural 

 history. 



M. Oudinot has painted with great talent a vast 

 number of insects, Crustacea and shells. 



(1) As examples of M. Van Spaendonck's works, see the Palava Mai- 

 vmfolia, Pavonia Spinifcx, and Hibiscus Palustris ; three plants of the 

 family of the Malvaceae, found in the same volume. 



