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206
Hereditary Genius
Brodie, Sir Benjamin, Bart., continued.
S. Sir Benjamin Brodie, second Bart.; Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.
Buckland, William, D.D., Dean of Westminster; eminent geologist.
S. Frank Buckland; naturalist; well-known popular writer on natural history,
especially on pisciculture.
Buffon, G. L., Comte de; naturalist. “Majestate nature par ingenium.” Nature gave
him every advantage in figure, bearing, features, strength, and general energy.
Voltaire said he had “le corps d'un athlete et 1'ame d'un sage.” He was educated
for the law, but had an irresistible bias
to science—at first to physics and
mathematics, and finally to zoology.
f. From her he said that he derived his qualities. He always spoke with great
affection of his mother.
S. His abilities were considerable, and his attachment to his father was extreme. He
was guillotined as an aristocrat.
Cassini, Jean Dominique (1625-1712, aet. 87); celebrated Italian astronomer, whose
name is chiefly connected with the discovery of the satellites of Saturn, with
the rotations of the planets on their axes, and with the zodiacal light. He had an
immense reputation in his day. Colbert induced him, by the offer of a pension,
to settle in France, and to be naturalized as a Frenchman. He founded the
Observatory of Paris. He was of a strong constitution, calm temper, and
religious mind; was the first of a family of a remarkable series of long-lived
astronomers.
S. Jacques Cassini (1677-1756, aet. 79); author of “Theories on the Figure of the
Earth;” succeeded his father in the French Academy.
P. Caesar F. Cassini de Thury.
PS.,
PP
His descendants.
See below
Cassini, de Thury, Caesar Francois (1714-1784, aet. 70); showed early abilities in
astronomy; was received into the Academy aet. 22; was author of the
governmental survey of France; published many scientific memoirs.
G. Jean Dominique Cassini.
F. Jacques Cassini.
See above
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