26 
STATE OF ZOOLOGY 
eminent Belgians, we are abundantly recompensed, by the 
presence of Professor Morren, whom we all esteem as ex- 
celling in many branches of natural science, an active pro- 
moter of useful discussions, and admirably chosen by his wise 
king, and by the Academy of Brussels, to represent the 
science of that learned and industrious nation. 
FRANCE. 
It cannot be doubted, that France preserves her ancient 
scientific renown, notwithstanding the petulance of those who 
would wish to detract from it. Paris is ever the great centre 
of attraction, wherefore the attempts of those persons are most 
praiseworthy, who endeavour to transfer a portion of the light 
of science from this absorbing focus, to the rays and circumfe- 
rence of the circle, a tendency which we perceive in the annual 
Congresses, and in the recent establishment of the Provincial 
Institute, which now has its abode at Mans. There are 
founded also, in every region of France, new museums and 
schools, while the old ones are increased and adorned on every 
side. Bordeaux has, for many years, boasted of her Linnaean 
Society ; she may now be proud of the “ Actes ” of that 
society, and of the museum lately entrusted to the care of 
Gachet. Marseilles daily enlarges her museum, and especially 
enriches it with specimens from Africa ; thanks to the care of 
the indefatigible Barthelemy de la Pommeraye, who honours 
this meeting by representing his country, and who is the 
possessor of many new species, two of which, very interesting 
from their resemblance to their European congeners, I have 
described in the Revue Zoologique. Avignon too boasts, that 
amidst her turretted walls, rises a museum, which, with many 
other philanthropic institutions, she owes to the care of her 
deserving citizen Requien. Arles, the birth-place of Laugier, 
the sharer of Temminck’s labours, although it no longer 
possesses the celebrated collection which served as a ground- 
work for the Planches Coloriees, still retains a respectable 
museum, which is especially rich in the products of that French 
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