TOURNEFORT, JOSEPH PITTON DE, a famous botanist, was born at Aix, in Provence, on the 5th of June 1656. He studied in the college of the Jesuits at Aix, and his father destined him for the church. He accordingly commenced his theological studies; but he felt a very early passion for the study of botany, and the death of his father in 1677 left him more at liberty to gratify his own inclinations. He wandered over the mountains of Dauphiny, Savoy, Catalonia, the Pyrenees, and the Alps, in search of new species of plants, which he collected with great industry. In 1679 he repaired to Montpellier, where he continued for two years to prosecute the study of medicine. He made a botanical excursion to Spain in 1681, and afterwards returned to the university. Having taken the degree of M.D. at Orange, he returned to his native city, where, however, he did not long remain. In 1683 his reputation procured him the appointment of professor of botany in the king's garden; and by the king's order he travelled into Spain, Portugal, Holland, and England, where he made