Note 134 — Chapter II · History of the Theory of the Nutrition of Plants. 1583-1860. (continued 2)

Nicolas Théodore de Saussure was born at Geneva in 1767, and died there in 1845. He was the son of the famous explorer of the Alps, and assisted his father in his observations on Mont Blanc and the Col du Géant. In 1797 he wrote his treatise on carbonic acid in its relation to vegetation, a prelude to his ‘Recherches chimiques’; the latter work received great attention from the scientific world, and he was made a corresponding member of the French Institute. He was a man of literary tastes, and took part also in public affairs, being repeatedly elected to the Council of Geneva. His preference for a secluded life is said to have been the reason why he never undertook the duties of a professorship. See the supplement to the ‘Biographie Universelle’ and Poggendorf’s ‘Biographisch-litterarisches Handwörterbuch.’