A life thus dedicated to the pursuits of science, was not likely to be chequered by any remarkable vicissitude. But the' Revolution, which soon broke out in France, and for a long time unhinged all the ordinary relations of society, had already involved in its vortex, not only the ambitious and the turbulent spirits of' the nation, but also the peaceful votaries of science. In 1789, he was nominated a Member of the Electoral College of Paris, an office which required him to serve as Magistrate, whenever his colleagues were in need of assistance in the exercise of their functions. 'On the first day when he was called upon this duty,'as he was proceeding to the Hotel de Ville, he had the misfortune to see his friend and protector, Berthier, barbarously murder ' ed by the populace. His own life was frequently ex posed to great danger during the tumults that en sued, and when he had the charge of superintend. ing the supply of provisions for the capital. In 1791, be had a seat in the Legislative Assembly; but, din. gusted with politics, he quitted Paris the year fol.
lowing, and repaired to his native city. Persecution followed him in his retreat, and he was glad to effect his escape to Madrid, after encountering many dan gers. But though well received and liberally assist ed by the Literati of that city, the malignity of the French emigrants, who could not pardon his having held any office under the Revolutionary Government, still pursued him, and drove, him from Spain, and afterwards from Lisbon, where he had sought and asylum. He at last went out as physician to an embassy which the United States sent to the Empe ror of Morocco. He was furnished with the means
of equipping himself by the generous assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, who, informed of his distresses, nobly sent him a credit for L. 1000. After re siding for some time at Morocco, during which he lost no opportunity of pursuing his favourite science, he obtained from the French Directory permission to return to .France ; and he was appointed by them Consul at the Canaries, in which capacity he resid ed for two years at Teneriffe. On his return, in 1796, he was chosen Member of the Institute, and was re instated in his botanical Professorship at Montpellier, with the direction of the botanical garden. He was afterwards elected a Member of the Legislative Body, and died of apoplexy, July 27, 1807. France is indebted to him for the introduction of tbe Meri no sheep and Angola goats.
Besides the work on fishes, already noticed, the following are his principal productions: 1. Varier positions circa respirationent, Montpellier, 1788. 2. Essai sus. Historre naturelle de gudques especes de Moines, dicrite a la tnessiclre de Linssie, 8vo. 1786, which is a translation, of a Latin Satire on the monks, the original of which appeared in Germany in 1788. S. Annie rurak, ou Calendrier a rusage des Cultiva teurs, in 2 vols. 12mo. Paris, 4. Notes pour servir a lisistoire de rEcole de Medecine de Mont pellier pendatit ran VI. 8vo. Montpellier, 1795. He was also a conductor, conjointly with Parmentier, Dubois, and Lefebure, of Lafeuiile du Cultivateur, in 8 vols. 4to, published in 1788, and the following years. w-)