MEMOIR OP DAUBENTON. 
195 
tvas useful to Buffon, and that the latter ought to have 
been so thankful for having formed the connection. 
It was about the year 17-12 that Button took him to 
Paris. The situation of Curator and Demonstrator in 
the Cabinet of Natural History was almost a sinecure ; 
the individual who possessed the title, named Moguez, 
having lived for a long time in the country ; and the 
duties, such as they were, were fulfilled from time to 
time by some one attached to the Garden. Buffon 
caused this office to be revived for Dauhenton, and it 
was conferred on him by brevet in 1715. The emolu- 
ments, which at first did not exceed 500 francs, were 
gradually increased to 1000 francs. "When he became 
connected with the Academy of Sciences, Buffon, who 
was treasurer, made him several gratuities. From the 
time of his arrival in Paris, he likewise provided him 
with a place of residence. In a word, he neglected 
nothing to provide for him that ease which is necessary 
for every man of letters, and every ono who wishes to 
occupy himself with nothing hut science. 
Daubenton, on his part, devoted himself, without in- 
terruption, to investigations fitted to second the views 
of his benefactor, and he erected,- by means of these 
labours, the two principal monuments of his own 
glory. 
One of the two, although not a printed book, is a 
book not less beautiful than instructive, since it is 
almost that of Nature ; I speak of the Cabinet of Natural 
History in the Jardin des Plantes. Before Daubenton’s 
