Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/375

Rh Subject of his discourse, his ample stores of knowledge never failed to supply him with illustrations ; and even in his extempore effusions, all his ideas were developed in the clearest order, and explained with singular perspicuity *. His chief delight was to afford assistance of every kind to such students as needed it, and in whom he perceived a desire of improvement. His great aim was to inspire and diffuse a taste for the study of botany by rendering it popular among all ranks. His library, which contained the richest collection of works on that subject, and the volumes of his hortus siccus^ were always open to those who wished to consult them. Often has he been known to discontinue researches which he had commenced, on finding that a similar design was entertained by another person ; and he hastened, on these occasions, to communicate to this inquirer his own views on the subject, to place in his hands the materials he had collected, and to put him in possession of the fruits of his own experience. His sole object was the advance of knowledge ; and whether this was effected by himself or by others was to him a matter of total indif- ference.

De Candolle had been visibly declining in health for some years before his end. The sudden death of Cuvier had impressed him with the apprehension that a similar fate might be impending ; and that he himself might, in like manner, be cut off before he had ac- complished the great works in which he was then engaged. He, in consequence, resolved to set aside all other occupations, and con- centrate all his efforts in completing those more important designs. During the last year of his life he undertook, with the vain hope of improving his strength, a long journey, in the course of which he at- tended the scientific meeting held at Turin, where, as might be ex- pected, he met with the most flattering and cordial reception. His death took place on the 9th of September, 1841, in the 64th year of his agef.

siology of plants is contained in ' Conversations on Vegetable Physiology ; comprehending the Elements of Botany, with their application to Agricul- ture,' by the accomplished authoress of ' Conversations on Chemistry,' 'Natural Philosophy,' and other well-known works. The first edition ap- peared in 1 829.
 * The substance of Ue Candolle's popular courses of lectures on the phy-

+ An oration by M. Rigaud, the Syndic of Geneva, pronounced at the " Conseil Represeiitatif," on the 27th of September, is the source which has supplied the information here given with regard to De Candolle. The fol- lowing is a catalogue of such of his works as are in the library of the Royal Society : —

1. Essai sur les proprietes medicales des plantes, compar^es avec leurs formes exterieures et leur classification naturelle. 8vo. Paris, 1816.

2. Regni vegetabilis systema naturale ; sive ordines, genera, et species plantarum secundum method! naturalis normas ; vol. 1 et 2 : 8vo. Parisiis, 1818 et 182L

3. Theorie el^inentaire de la Botanique, seconde edition, 8vo. Paris, 1819. (The first edition appeared in 1813.)

4. Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis ; sive enuraeratio contracta ordinum, generum, specierumque plantarum hucusque cognitarum