"There are some things for me," he wrote to President De Brosses, "but there are some against, and especially my age; however, if people would but reflect, they would see that the superintendence of the _Jardin du Roi_ requires an active young man, who can stand the sun, who is conversant with plants and knows the way to make them multiply, who is a bit of a connoisseur in all the sorts used in demonstration there, and above all who understands buildings, in such sort that, in my own heart, it appears to me that I should be exactly made for them: but I have not as yet any great hope." [Illustration: Buffon 323] In Buffon's hands the _Jardin du Roi_ was transformed; in proportion as his mind developed, the requirements of the study appeared to him greater and greater; he satisfied them fearlessly, getting together collections at his own expense, opening new galleries, constructing hot-houses, being constantly seconded by the good-will of Louis XV., who never shrank from expenses demanded by Buffon's projects.

The great naturalist died at eighty years of age, without having completed his work; but he had imprinted upon it that indisputable stamp of greatness which was the distinctive feature of his genius.

The _Jardin du Roi,_ which became the _Jardin des Plantes,_ has remained unique in Europe.
Fully engaged as he was in those useful labors, from the age of thirty, Buffon gave up living at Paris for the greater part of the year.

He had bought the ruins of the castle of Montbard, the ancient residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, overlooking his native town.

He had built a house there which soon became dear to him, and which he scarcely ever left for eight months in the year.