New-York tribune., 1873-12-13
AGASSIZ'S ENTERPRISES.
THE UNDERTAKINGS INTERRUPTED BY HIS
ILLNESS.

LECTURES AND ESSAYS rR0JECrED-AFrArRs AT
PESKEsE.
IrRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oF THE TRIDUNE.l
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Dec. 12.-The serious i'll.
ness Of Prof Agnssiz and the danger that If his
life ia spared he may be untitled for further labors.
make u matter Of nteres, the position Of
great enterprises in which he has hitherto borne the
principal part. One OF the important under
takings which Will suffer by Prof Agassiz's with
drswai ia the Cambridge Museum. This is an idea OF
his BRAIN, which he has worked hard TO
give realty. Though only IA years old 1t has
reputation second CO none. while some respects IL IL
far superior TO institutions claiming an equal name III
to pay debt OF gratitude which Prof. Agassiz con-
sdered that he owed the people Of this country
already repaid by the gilt Of his life and presence
that he undertook the establishment of this museum
His enthusiasm and wonderful attainments stimu-
lated aid and generosity For many years beforehand
he worked unaIded making his collections at his
own expense ana storng them partly in hs house,
partly cellar of Harvard Hail. and partly shany
Brighton Road Al that time he Professor in
the Lawrence Scientific School OF Harvard University,
having apoiuted IN Isi In 1852 these scattered
collections through private subscription raised by the
Treasurer Of Harvard University purchased for
h20O0. Pc0f. Agassiz continued TO add to IT, and six
years later had secured a collection which furnished
formidable argument for the execution of his cherished
plan boquest Of $4,000 by francis Gray Of Boston,
in 1885, furnished the financial nucleus for the Museum
of Comparative Zoology, the State voting the following
year aid the extent OF 100000 and $1,000 being raised
BY subscription.
Ny great object said Prof Agassz when address
ng the Legislature on the subject in 1852 sis to have
museum founded here which Will equal the great muse
ums OF the old world We have continent before US,
exploration which has yet been only SKINNED on
surface My earnest desire has always been and
now, put universities footing with those OF
Europe or even ahead Of them" 80 good judge as
pror dacl hal
realized I've have nothing like this the old world"
said be- after going through it from garret TO cellar The
institution is thoroughly organized in its scientific de-
plrtments has vast and rich COLLECTION an earnest
ani thorough corps of workers. Prof Asassz himself
SAYS;
The scientific officers OF tho Museum have shown the
utmost zeal ana fidelity, carrying on the work OF the
separate laboratories efficiently that can truly say the
results O the past year have far exceeded my most san
cuiue expectations. There inference 10 be drawn
from this statement which of great Importance though
few perhaps, can value 1t as highly as 90 myself.
have heard sad repeatedly that the ORGANIZATION OF
the Museum was too comprehensive; that 1t covered
wider range than useful in the present state OF
among and that since 1t must collapse when
ever 1 should taken away. uuwise to support it
on so large a scale. past year has proved beyond
question tbat The Museum is now so ORGANIZED Vtazed
as i were with the spirit OF thought and connected
work. tat my presence absence is Of little import
Ii will keep its course without any new or re-
peated stimulus beyond the necessary appropriations
Tor ITS maintenance.
Few however, will agree with its founder that his
presence absence is OF little Importance" Though
PrOf AaSZ has several associates eacD eminent IN MS
own department, and each pursuing independently his
work the Museum, yet his presence has furnished
Inspiration and stimulus all parts OF the institution
which scarcely be overetimated. He has exhibited
remarkable faculty for putting others to work and for
inspiring original Investigation. IL was the stimulus
only precept but Of example scientific specialist,
himself original investigator familiar with similar
institutions the Continent, and especially familiar
with at London said to that nowhere in the
course of his travels had he seen such amount of
giDal work done at museum done here. IL is
institution not founded old traditions and there
fore is governed by them. Everything Is done dc
THE time has passed." says Prof. Agassiz,
when the value OF a ia TO be measured by the
number OF its stuffed and empty shels;" and his
sprtand presence have kept the institution from de
generating Into mere repository dry bones, simply
requiring be catalogue1 and placed on exhibition
Last Spring institution received grant OF $4,000
from the legislature, muncont gift OF 10000 from
Mr Shaw aud $1,000 from Alexander Agassiz.
making $4,000 in all. Tais will the Museum for
another after which t VIII probably have TO fan
back its friends again 1t remains TO be whether
the people Massachusetts, willing to attest their
lasting gratitude Agassiz by making this perpet-
uaL monument to bis name.
Among the different subject, OF investigation which
have engaged Prof Agassizs attention Of late and
which he must not be obliged 10 leave unfinished the
following the important: First, study of the
Eohinoderms, especially large and REMARKABLY fine
opportunity for correct classification that natural
is ever enjoyed The Professor greatly delighted
with its beauty and perfection that he purchased it and
had it added to the already fine collection in the
Museum Hitherto determinations OF fossil species of
this class Of radiaes have frequently been made from
very imperfect specimens. The work upon tins colec
tion will probably be continued by son OF Prof Agassz
Mr.. Alex. Agassiz-whO has made mis- department of
natural history special study. and who. next TO his
father is able from previous research to pursue
this undertaking successfully
Prof. Agassz also in hopes OF returning to his
study collection made by himself and others
the voyage OF the Coast Survey steamer Hasser from
Francisco. 1t is Of untold wealth 20 the
scientist and includes In respects the whole field Of
zoology scudng the natural history OF mankind, thai
OF marine mammala marine birds, reptiles. and fishes
Tue number Of fishes mousks crustaces, aud radiates
obtained especially large somo idea Of the magn
tude the collections may be gathered from Prof.
Agassz's statement that than gallons OF alco
hol were consumed in packing them. For weeks past
some theforce at the Museum has been engaged in
preparing and arranging this Hassler material,
and Prof. Agassiz in hopes that by next
year he should be able TO state the scieu-
tibc value and importance OF this vast collection.
To one part this collection he had already devoted
considerable attention. namely, to tho examination OF
the seaohians family Of sharks. studying with great
care their modes OF dentition and characteristics OF
growth and reproduction. The accession OF material
Afforded by the Hassler trip OF immense value to
the Professor afordng him sometimes as msnv as 200
specimens OF a single species for comparison. He was
greatly desrous OF continuing his comparisons. the
value Of hs collection creating fresh interest In
the studies OF his early He was also desirous of
studying the order relations OF development in
birds from the embryo TO the mature forms and
fine collection OF had been arranged for this pur
pose He was, besides engaged IN preparing synthetic
collection showing the sinities OF animals This to
have been one OF the great iabors OF his life.
L. IL thn prnfn