ceived new nourishment, when, in consequence of a second promotion, his father was called to the parish of Concise, a large village situated on the Lake of Neufchatel. The vicinity of the lake, which washes the garden-walls of the parsonage, opened a new field to his insatiable curiosity concerning natural objects. From this moment his attention was especially directed to the Fishes; and as if he had already a presentiment of the great results which he was one day to deduce from the philosophical study of these animals, he not only applied himself to collecting them, but also began to inquire into their habits, their manner of life, and the characters by which they are distinguished. He took part in all fishingexcursions, accompanied the fishermen on all occasions, and often went alone, with his line in hand, to pass whole days in the middle of the lake. When he came afterwards to compare the results which he had obtained with the accounts given in treatises on Natural History, he saw immediately how much remained to be done in this department; and the idea of filling this gap constantly occupied his mind.

He had now finished his studies at school. It was to be expected that, following the example of his ancestors, he would devote himself to the priesthood. But Natural History had gained too much ascendancy. His father wisely left to him the choice of a profession. He chose that of Medicine, as offering the most opportunities for pursuing his beloved studies. He commenced the study of Medicine at the Academy of Zurich, where he was most kindly received by Professor Schinz, who admitted him to an intimate acquaintance, and furnished every facility in his power for the pursuit of his zoological researches. From Zurich he went to the University of Heidelberg, where he devoted himself especially to the study of Anatomy, under the direction of the celebrated professor, Tiedemann. His assiduity in study did not prevent him from taking part in all the amusements of the studentlife, so that the Swiss corps chose him for their president, and long after he had quitted the university he was still spoken of as an accomplished Bursch, possessing the rare talent of managing with equal dexterity the rapier and the scalpel.

It was at this time that the Bavarian government, having recently organized the University of Munich, called thither as professors the most eminent men of Germany in all the departments of science. There were brought together at that time, Oken, the celebrated zoologist; Martius, the botanist, who

had lately returned from his travels in South America, with a rich harvest of scientific materials; Schelling, the great philosopher; and Döllinger, the founder of modern Physiology. Such a corps of teachers could not fail to attract a large body of youth eager to learn. Among others, Agassiz did not hesitate to quit the fashionable University of Heidelberg for the rude capital of Bavaria.

It is here that his scientific career commences. The four years that he passed at the new university may be counted among the most remarkable of his life. Although only a student, his already extensive knowledge of Natural History soon drew the attention of the professors, whose lectures he eagerly attended. Friendships sprung up between him and them, and the intimacy in which he lived with these chosen men resulted in an increased enthusiasm for science, as well as an extension of the field of his researches.

With Martius he studied the organization of plants, and their geographical distribution according to climates and regions of the globe. With Döllinger (in whose house he lived,) he penetrated into the sublime mysteries of the formation of animals, and their development during the embryonic period. With Oken he discussed the principles of Classification according to the intimate affinities of things, based on a profound study of their organization.

Finally, with Schelling he approached those questions of the higher philosophy, which in Germany more than anywhere else have at all times been the study of the greatest minds; namely, the relations that exist between the immaterial essence of beings, and the laws of the physical world-in other words, between Spirit and Matter. The pantheistic theory was embraced at that time by many enlightened men in Germany; and it is not surprising, that, supported by the results of modern science, and professed under a new and attractive form by an eminent man, who, freed from all party considerations, presented it in all its grandeur-it excited the enthusiasm of the young men who crowded round the chair of this celebrated philosopher, already prepared for the doctrine by the writings of Goethe and Schiller. Agassiz, if we are rightly informed, partook also of their opinions. It was not until afterwards, that, (as we shall show directly,) having commenced the study of former creations, he modified his views, and unhesitatingly proclaimed as the result of his investigations, the existence of a personal God, the Author and Ruler of the universe.

Agassiz, as we have already said, though only a student, ranked at this time among the scientific men of Munich. A few young men of like spirit gathered round him, forming a small but select circle who met to discuss scientific subjects. This society soon attracted attention; it was called the little Academy; even the professors gladly took part in it; and those of the students who had the good fortune to be members of it remember the lectures read there, as not the least instructive and interesting part of their scientific course.

Martius was then occupied in publishing his great work on the Natural History of Brazil. He confined himself to the part relating to Botany. His companion, Spix, who was to edit the zoological portion, had just died, leaving many portions of his work unfinished. That relating to Ichthyology, in particular, was barely sketched out. An able zoologist was needed to reduce to order the chaos of new species and genera, and to assign to them their true places in the system. Martius cast his eyes upon his young friend Agassiz, to whom he confided the honorable task of elaborating this important part of the work. It appeared in a folio volume in Latin, with numerous plates; making part of the "Travels in Brazil." From the time of its appearance it gained for its author the rank of an eminent naturalist.

Such occupations necessarily resulted in detaching the young naturalist more and more from his medical studies. His parents, who had already often protested against this too exclusive passion of their son for Natural History, now had recourse to an extreme measure; they withdrew the moderate allowance which they had hitherto granted him. This was a terrible blow for the young man, who found himself thus at once deprived of all means of subsistence, and obliged to renounce what was dearer than all to him, his portfolios; for his allowance had not only supplied his daily wants, but had also been applied to paying for the services of a young artist named Dinkel, whom he had remarked among the crowd of draughtsmen who fill the streets of Munich, and who under his guid ance became one of the most skilful painters in this depart

ment.

But, like other passions, the love of science is ingenious in surmounting difficulties. Full of confidence in himself, he applied to the bookseller Cotta, a man who united with great skill in business the most enlarged views. To him he showed the materials he had collected for a Natural History of the Fresh

water Fishes of Europe. The beauty of the drawings, the finish of the details, and above all the enthusiasm of the young man, gained the heart of the old bookseller, who advanced him funds to continue and complete his work.

At the same time Agassiz, like a good son, sought to regain the favor of his parents. For this there was but one thing to be done; namely, to return to Medicine. Until now he had divided his time between his medical and his zoological studies; but now, we may infer that he applied himself seriously to his profession, since not long after he presented himself as candidate for the degree of Doctor, and passed his examination with distinction. But the title of Doctor of Medicine was not enough for him. In the same year he applied for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which he received after a public disputation which produced a great sensation in the literary community of Munich.

He undertook to show that woman is superior to man. Mens feminæ viri animo superior, was the theme of his disputation. Such a proposition, coming from a young man whose devotion to the fair sex was well known, could not fail to attract attention. It was received with the most various sentiments. The young applauded the irresistible arguments of the youthful candidate; puritanic conservatives, and those belonging to what is called in Germany the Historical School, thundered against these ideas, as revolutionary and calculated to subvert the order of society. The sphere of woman, they thought, should not be extended beyond the kitchen and the laundry.

After this double examination, Agassiz received permission from his parents to visit Vienna. The object of this journey was the completion of his medical studies; but on his arrival he devoted himself again to his favorite pursuit, and was oftener to be met with at the Museum than in the hospital. Here he made the acquaintance of many distinguished naturalists, among others of Fitzinger; and applied himself to the special study of Ichthyology.

This study, with him, was not confined to living species. He had extended his researches to the fossil kinds, and the débris (often admirably preserved,) found in the fresh-water deposits of Oeningen, in Switzerland, had attracted his particular attention. He found that most of the species said to be identical with those of the present epoch, were different, and therefore had drawings made of a great number; so that when

he returned to Switzerland his portfolio contained almost as many fossil as recent species. What was he to do with all these materials? His parents having already made great sacrifices for him, and seeing no guarantee for the future, were impatient for him to begin his medical career. In this conflict of his tastes and his filial duties, his position was difficult. But he had not yet seen Paris, and he could not make up his mind to commence practice without having examined the rich collections of that great capital; without having visited the Jardin des Plantes; and above all, without having heard Cuvier, whose renown filled the world.

But how was he to find means to go to Paris? His parents were neither able nor willing to contribute any thing towards it. Fortunately a neighbouring clergyman, a friend of his father, who had always entertained the highest opinion of his talents, having just inherited a small sum of money, thought he could not employ it better than in aiding the project of his young friend.

On his arrival in Paris, Agassiz lost no time in seeking out the two most eminent men of the age, then residing in that city-Cuvier and Humboldt.

Cuvier, in order to assuage his grief for the death of his daughter, had just commenced his great work on Fishes, and received with eagerness every thing concerning fossil species. Agassiz relied upon his portfolio for his introduction to the great naturalist. Cuvier was so much astonished by it, that after a second interview he informed Agassiz that he would give up the projected publication and make over to him all his materials, if he would undertake to describe them. For those who know the value which the materials for a literary work acquire in the eyes of an author, this incident by itself will be sufficient proof that Cuvier's moral character was equal to his intellectual power. From this moment Agassiz continued on intimate terms with Cuvier's family, until the death of that great man, and we have heard him say that the happiest moments of his life were passed in Cuvier's cabinet.

After the death of Cuvier (1832), Agassiz returned to Switzerland, hoping to obtain a professorship in some of the public establishments of the Canton de Vaud. Being disappointed in this, he accepted the invitation of some citizens of Neufchatel to establish himself in that city, where they were preparing to reorganize the college. He was soon after appointed Professor of Natural History, a place which he filled until his departure for the United States.