IX EUROPE — FRANCE. 
29 
his scholars, and among those who assist him, the most dis- 
tinguished is M. Gervais, already well known by several useful 
memoirs. 
The famous Professor Dumeril does not cease from his 
learned and successful studies. In compiling his universal 
Species of Amphibiat he entrusted a part of the labour to 
M. Bibron, who, it is only justice to say, has exceeded the 
expectation of all the cultivators of science, and especially that 
of his colleague. This distinguished young man, not honoured 
as yet with chairs or titles, nor enriched by well earned and 
profitable rewards, will ere long be esteemed one of the first 
zoologists of France. It is beautiful to observe how at every 
step of the publication of the Erpetologie Generale, the orders 
there treated of continually improve, as their arrangement 
proceeds in his hands at the Jardin des Plantes. These two 
naturalists are now turning their attention to Serpents, which 
will be comprised in two volumes ; the publication of the 
BatracJiia, which form the concluding volume of the work, 
being now anticipated. 
I may here allude to that most useful undertaking of the 
publisher Koret (the worthy editor of the collection of 
Manuels), who under the title of Suites d Buffon, a name 
which carries great weight in France, like that of Calepinus in 
Italy, is publishing a series of excellent treatises on the diffe- 
rent branches of natural history. I regret, that this is not the 
place to speak of those on the Invertebrata, and will only 
remark, that since the death of Besmarest, to whom he had 
entrusted the class of Fish, the selection of his successor will 
become a matter of general interest. Three plans would suit 
me if I were in the position of that edition : — First, to contrive 
by all means, that the work should be undertaken by Agassiz, 
who, it cannot be doubted, would render it novel and impor- 
tant in every aspect ; secondly, that MM. Dumeril and Bibron, 
should apply to Fish the same energy and acumen which they 
have shown in treating of Reptiles, in which case every one 
might guarantee the value of their labours; or, thirdly, if 
neither of these two plans were practicable, to entrust it to 
the ichthyologist of the day, M. Valenciennes, even though 
29 
