The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-02-04
ON THE REEFS
Coral Formations Made the Sub
jGct Of a Lecture.
ADDRESS BY PROF. AGASSIz
Notable Audience In Pauahi Hall.
sects Darwin and Dana.

There was a really notable audience
at Pauahi Hall, Punahou College last
evening to hear the lecture by Prof
A Agassiz. The event was under the
auspices of the University Club. Those
who attended comprised the literary
people of the city. 1t seemed that all
who make the least effort to keep
abreast with current thought and in
vestigation in history or science were
1t was an intelligent, cultivated gath
ering and to the speaker must have
been an inspiration. The hour set
for the beginning of the lecture was
o'clock Thirty minutes before that
itorium was occupied Extra chairs
were brought in and then the connect
ing audience rooms that are handy
wings of the principal hall were used
and were soon filed. Pauahi Hail. for
such meeting as this is the very
best in Honolulu. 1t is a handsome
assembly hall, with a number of fine
pictures on the walls. 1t is amply
lighted with chandeliers of incandes-
cents and is we'll ventilated. There
are two road stairways leading to two
entrances. The hall could on neces
sary occasion be emptied very quick
ly. The audience of last night was
all attention from the first words of
the gentleman who presided till the
final utterance of the famous scien-
tist.
Prof. A. Agassiz is a distinct and
signal success as a platform orator
He has a we'll balanced, engaging
presence and is wonderfully ready
talker His subject is technical, but
he is far from ponderous in present
ing it. He made clear to all every
proposition submitted and handled his
torical data and accounts of explora
tions, discussions and treaties in such
a manner as to impress recollection
of what he said. He gave all a clear
and fixed idea of the whole subject of
formation of coral reefs, Of the con-
troversies, theories and researches.
Prof. A. Agassiz spoke for one hour
and tyunntu poinutnc and during that
time sketched a number of diagrams
upon the blackboard. He was never
for even the part of a second at a
loss for a word or expression and the
divisions Of his lecture were given in
such we'll arranged sequence that the
whole talk was followed with extreme
ease. He is quite rapid talker, but
free from any manneriSm and with
a sympathetic voice of good tone,
even harmony.
The introduction of Professor Agas-
siz was made couple of minutes past
eight o'clock by Associate Justice
Frear, Of the University club, who
paid graceful tribute to the genius and
accomplishments and industry and de-
termination of Prof. A. AgassiZ and
who made pleasing reference to Prof.
Louis Agassiz, father of the visitor.
The lecturer was described as one Of
the leaders of modern scientific
thought and investigation and as
distinguished worker in the especial
fields of zoology and geology.
Professor Agassiz took up his sub
ject without any preliminary remarks.
He wished first to correct the common
error of speaking of a coral insect or
supposing that there was such thing.
Coral is formed by the sea anemone
which is microscopic in size, but is
not an insect at all. The upper por-
ton of the anemone is of a gelatinOus
substance that dies or dissipates. The
lower portion has the walls of lime
substance that remain and form coral
when the anemone ceases to exist.
1t had somehow fallen to the lot OF
Professor Agassiz. he said to question
the theories of Darwin and Dana as
to the formation of coral reefs, atols
and islands. The reports or articles
or essays Of Darwin and Dana had
| been accepted for many years. Once
or twice investigators had found prem
ises for difference, but did not care tc
break away boldly from the establish,
ed ideas as put forth by Darwin and
Dana. In pursuance of information
| Professor AgassiZ has worked upon
the reefs Of the Bermudas, Florida