Botany in France

253.The study of botany began to be cultivated in France at an early period, and has since attained great consideration in that country from the labours of Tournefort, Vaillant, Adanson, the Jussieus, Richard, Mirbel, Kunth, and De Candolle. The first botanic garden was formed in 1597, at Montpelier, in Henry the Fourth's reign, through the representations of Belon. In the following year it contained 1300 distinct species, the greater part gathered in the neighbourhood.