MEMOIR OF LATRETLLE. 49 
necessary to extend the limits of the science to 
which he had devoted himself. He published vari- 
ous works on many branches of natural history, and 
likewise on geography. All these writings, although 
bearing marks of the rapidity with which they had 
been composed, display intelligence, a methodical 
mind, and great variety of knowledge. But the 
works treating of entomology always evinced his 
new and rapid progress in this science, until at last 
the publication of the Genera Crustaceorum et In- 
sectorum placed him in the first rank of the entomo- 
logists of Europe. 
" Thus, by his labour alone he was able to satisfy 
all his wants. In truth, his philosophy was such 
that he could be content with little; he indulged 
in no excess but for study, and this excess weak- 
ened his feeble constitution. He counteracted its 
bad effects by a frugality seldom practised, by an 
absence of all the pleasures of the world, including 
even those of society. But he was not on that 
account less feelingly alive to any thing, whether 
sad or joyful, which might happen to his friends, 
nor less obliging and kind to all. 
" He was deeply afflicted at the calamities of 
his country ; he detested wars, civil commotions, 
party animosity, and revolutions of whatsoever kind. 
Great catastrophes depressed his spirits, and \iade 
him nervous and unhappy, particularly in winter. 
He did not recover his vigour and freedom of mind 
until, on the return of spring, he could give himself 
up to the study of nature according to the manner 
