Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-16
Professor Agassiz.

lowed 4 mixture containing poison and only
by the greatest exertions was his life saved.
Professor Agassix.
Professor Louis John Rudolph Aeasssix
died shortly after ten o'clock Saturday night.
He was born near Lake Neofchatel. Switxer-
land, in May, 1907, and was therefore sixty
six years Of sge. He early developed 4 taste
for scientific study and research, and studied
at the college of Lausanne, 1t the Zurich
Medical School, and at the universities Of
Heidelberg and Munich, besides attending for
four years Schellings lectures on philosophy.
The opportunities for scientific distinction
were not long wanting to Agassiz, who was
| selected by Martius to assist him In complete
ing his great work on Brazil, aud the manner
in which he performed his share Of the labor
placed the name Of the young stndent among
the foremost scientists of the age. Agassix's
next great labor was the publication Of bis
celebrated work on the NATURAL History Of
the Fresh Water Fishes of Europe" ID which
he was assisted by the intelligent generosfty
and foresight Of Gotta, the celebrated publish.
er. Meanwhile he had received the degree
OF Ph. ID. at Erlangen, aud subsequently, that
o! M. ID. at Munich, on the reception Of the.
latter reading his celebrated Latin disserta.
ton upon the thesis ftmina humana superior
mar. While studying living fishes his at.
tention had been naturally drawn to the fossil
species, and he commenced the study Of the
technology of bygone periods with character
istic ardor, devoting ten years Of travel and
research TO the study of this branch Of sci
ence, the result of which was published in
the completed works in 1884 1874. In the
preparation of this great work he received
very material assistance from Humboldt, who
ha platod a. ovnauativo IN,
the same subject, but willingly placed the re-
suit of his researches at the disposal Of Agas-
siz. In 1882 he was appointed professor Of
natural history in the college at Neufchatel,
and in the succeeding fourteen years which
elapsed between the appointment and his A.
rival in this country, travelled, studied and
wrote much. In 1876 he visited Boston, be-
ing sent to this country on q scientific mission
from the Prusian government, and the follow
ing year, having obtained an honorable dis
charge, he determined to make his home
here. He delivered lectures in various Sec
tions of the country, and then accepted the
chair of zoology and geology in the Lawrence
scientific school, founded by Mr.. Abbott
Lawrence. Since that time, with the excep-
ton of two years when he held the position Of
professor of comparative anatomy in the Med.
ical College of Charleston, S. c., he has been
closely identified with Harvard College, and
has labored indefatigably in the interests Of
science. One of the most important under
takings which will suffer by Professor ARas-
siz's withdrawal, is the Cambridge Museum.
For many years beforehand he worked al
most unaided, making his collections at his
own expense, and storing them partly in his
own house, partly in the cellar Of Hazard
Hall, and partly in shanty on the Brighton
road. This was shortly after his appoint
ment to the Lawrence School. In 1859 these
scattered collections, through private SUBJ
scriptions raised by the treasurer Of Hazard
University, were purchased for 312 900.
Professor Agassiz continued to add to it, and
six years later had secured collection which
furnished formidable argument for the ex
ecution of his cherished plan. A btq,est of
$4,000 by Francis c. Gray of Ro.tou, in
1858, furnished the financial nucleu. for the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, the State
voting the following year aid to the extent of
100000, and 600 being raised by SUBJ
scription. Another subject Of investigation
was that of the Echinoderms, especially .
large and remarkably fine fossil collection
obtained in Iowa, which affords the best OPP
portunity for correct Qualification that any
naturalist ever enjoyed. The professor was
so greatly delighted with its beauty and PEP
fiction that he purchased it and had it added
Hitherto determinations of fossil species OF
this class Of radiates have frequently been
made from very imperfect specimens. The
work upon this will probably be continued
by son of Prof Agassiz-Mr. Alexander
Agassiz-who has made this department of
natural history a special study, and who, next
to his father, is best able from previous re-
search to pursue this undertaking successful
ly. With his two later enterprises-the Has
sler expedition and the natural history school
at Penikese-nearIy every one 10 familiar.
Some idea of the magnitude of the collec.
tions he made on the voyage of the coast
survey steamer Hassler from Boston to San
Francisco may be gathered from his own
statement that $500 gallons Of alcohol were
used in packing them. 1t included in some
the natural history Of mankind, that of ma
rine mammalia, marine birds, reptiles and
fishes. The number of fishes, mollusks,
crustacea and radiates obtained was especial
ly large. For weeks past some of the force
of the Museum has been engaged in prepar-
ing and arranging this Hassler material, and
Prof. Agassiz was in hopes that by next year
he should be able to state the scientific value
and Importance Of this vast collection.
The hitherto successful experiment Of the
fenkese school may be considered as deeply
dependent on the life and lab0rs OF its found
err, who firmly believed in the theory Of
teaching natural history by bringing the stu
dent face to face with nature.
There il reason for great thankfulness that
the results of his Investigations have been
published and brought before the entire read.
ing public. In 1865 he explored Brazil, the
result of which was published in "a Journey
to Brazil" in 1867. Among the more psoui-
nent of his other works may be meutioped,
contributions to the Natural History of the
United States" work gigantic in conception
and execution, of which but four volumes
have as yet been published; methods of
Study in Natural History;" "The Structure
of animal life = Twelve Lectures Oh Com
parative Embryology;" "Systems Glacealsi"
and Lake Superior, work embodying the
results of his scientific explorations in the vi
cinity of that lake.
Prof. Agassiz received many testimonials
to his scientific greatness, aud the esteem in
which his efforts were held, from various
scientific bodies and educational institutions.
In 1861 he received the Copsley medal from
the Royal Society of London. From the
Academy of Sciences, Paris, he received the
Monthyon Prize for Experimental Philosophy
and the Cuvier Prize; the Wollaston medal
from the Geological society, Londoa, and the