I shall retain through life a pleasant recollection of the
_ruminants_. Through them I obtained the first prize for natural
history which was ever given in France to the pupils of the learned
university. It is thirty years ago since this happened, and I own,
without any false modesty, that even now the word _ruminant_ rings
very agreeably in my ear. It reminds me of one of the proudest moments
of my life, of the honor done to me by the illustrious Geoffroy St.
Hilaire, when he called me, a little college urchin, up to him, that
he might have a nearer view, as he said, of the baby-professor who had
spoken so well on ruminants. Yes, it is more than thirty years ago, for
alas! it was in 1831. There needed no less an event, as I have told
you before, than the revolution of 1830 in France to induce the big-wigs
of education to sacrifice two hours per week in one class to the study
of natural history. Yes, my dear child, it is only that short time ago
since natural history became one of the subjects of study in French
colleges; and the gray-haired men of the present day finished their
education, as it is called, without having learnt a single word of
what I am now taking the trouble to teach you, a mere child. You see
you have come into the world just at the right time, and will be able
to instruct others in your turn. But before giving lessons to other
people you must first finish learning your own. Forgive me this
involuntary reference to a happy time when I was not much more rational
than you are. And now, let us return to our ruminants--those dear,
good beasts, the nourishing fathers of the human race.