Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/33

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MEMOIR OF LATREILLE.
33

Latreille became a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1814, having succeeded his friend Olivier. His name was the first, as elected by the Academy, submitted to Louis XVIII. for his approbation on his return to France. He was likewise, during the latter period of his life, elected an honorary member of most of the principal academies of Europe, established for the promotion of physical science. In 1821, the king evinced his regard for him, and the sense he entertained of the value of his services, by conferring on him the distinction of Chevalier of the royal order of the Legion of Honour. It was late, however, before he obtained such an appointment as his abilities and reputation may be considered as entitling him to hold. At last he was appointed to the Professorship of Entomology in the Museum of Natural History, a situation which completely realized all his hopes and satisfied his ambition. He devoted himself to the duties of this office with unwearied zeal, and engaged in numerous laborious works, at a time when his health was beginning to fail, and would have required almost entire cessation from labour.

One of the distinctions which he received towards the close of his life, and which he valued most highly, was that of being elected, under very flattering circumstances, Honorary President of the Entomological Society of France. This society may be said to have been formed, in a great measure, by his own pupils; those who had been attracted to the study, and guided in the prosecution of it by