BRISSON, MATHURIN JACQUES zoologist and natural philosopher, was born at Fontenay le Comte on April 3o, 1723. The earlier part of his life was spent in the pursuit of natural history, but after the death of R. A. F. Reau mur (1683-1757), whose assistant he was, he abandoned natural history, and was appointed professor of physics in Paris. His most important works were Poids speci fiques des corps (178 7) and Dictionnaire raisonne de physique (2nd ed. 1800). He died at Croissy near Paris, on June 23, 1806.