Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-11
Agassiz.

telegram in another column states that the
illness Of Prof AgaSsiz has taken an alarming
turn, threatening the breaking down OF his
faculties IL not his life. He is now nearly sixty
seven years old, but he had q robustness of
physique promising many years of usefulness
IL would seem, however, that be has fallen a
victim TO that sudden collapse of the nervous
system, and of the functions of the brain of
which so many notable cases have occurred this
year.
Professor Agassiz was born in Switzerland in
1907, and entered the Gymnasium of Brienne a.
the early age of nine. He speedily carried off
the hOnors of the school there, and at the Acad-
envy of Lausanne; and also ut the Universities
OF Zurich. Heidelberg and Munich. where he
studied medicine and the experimental sciences
BY lisa he had distinguished himself as a com
Taratiye anatomist, and had published several
works on Echinodermes. aEd the fossil aud
fresh water fish OF Europe. His Studies OF
Glaciers" in which he advanced theory tend
ing to change the views of geologists on that
subject was the work by which he attained his
great European reputation.
NJ. gassiz left Europe for fhe United States
IN l'lG, and after delivering course OF lectures
an the lowell Institute, Boston. and spending
several months in connection with the coast
survey, was appointed in December, 1871, Pro-
feSsOT Of Zoology and Geology in the Scientific
School at Cambridge, Mass, founded by tbs
late Abbot Lawrence. This position, the high
est scientific prOGessorship in America, he has
since retained. lie nas in the successive years
which Lave elapsed visited and collected
geological specimens in every portion of the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, Brazil and the
valley Of the Amazon, the valley of the
Mississippi, and the great plains at the
base OF the Rocky mountains, and has
had collectors at work gathering for him ali
land and marine animals On the Pacific
coast. His collections Of minerals, plants, and
fossils far exceed in extent any others ever
made in America, and in most particulars
surrass those Of any European Cabinet or Mu-
scum. Professor Agassiz's later published
works are "Outlines of Cooperative Physiol-
ogy," principles of Zoology" contributions
TO the Natural History of the United States"
magnificent work in imperial qusrto to De
completed in ten volumes, of which but two
have yet appeared, "Journey in Brazil, ""Zoo-
logical photography" and several reports of
the Museum of Comparative Zoology. He has
been latterly engaged under the auspicies of
our Government in making a complete
investigation of the deep sea bottom of
the Gulf stream, and also in founding
the Scientific School at Pennikese Island.
Since he came TO the United States tempt
ing offers have been made to him from
other quarters, but he has shown his devotion
to the country of his adoption by refusing all
The French Academy OF Sciences awarded him
their prize, with the fattering offer Of a scien-
tifc chair, which he declined.
Should the spprehensions OF his medical ad-
viseTs be well founded, and his working career
be at an end the news will nowhere be received
with more SORROW than by the Christian world
He had already broken ground as the champion
Tftqpu AGAINST nj n
scientific stand point, and much was expected
from the full development OF his position prom
ised in the lectures to be given by him in Wash
ingtOn this winter.