He studied theology in Lausanne, afterwards spending several years in England as tutor to the family of Lord Ashley (1845–51).
He then returned to Switzerland, where he concentrated on paleontological studies.
[1] He spent several winters with his pupil in Italy, from where he conducted much of his significant scientific research.
He was a member of the Société Helvetique de Sciences Naturelles and the Société Vaudoise de Sciences Naturelles.
[2][3] with François Jules Pictet de la Rive and Philippe de La Harpe, he collaborated on Mémoire sur les animaux vertébrés trouvés dans le terrain sidérolitique du canton de Vaud et appartenant à la faune éocène.