108 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



journey that it presents itself under a thou- 

 sand forms, and all that I undertake looks 

 toward one end. I have for six months fre- 

 quented a blacksmith's and carpenter's shop, 

 learning to handle hammer and axe, and I also 

 practice arms, the bayonet and sabre exercise. 

 I am strong and robust, know how to swim, 

 and do not fear forced marches. I have, when 

 botanizing and geologizing, walked my twelve 

 or fifteen leagues a day for eight days in suc- 

 cession, carrying on my back a heavy bag 

 loaded with plants or minerals. In one word, 

 I seem to myself made to be a traveling natu- 

 ralist. I only need to regulate the impetuos- 

 ity which carries me away. I beg you, then, 

 to be my guide." 



The unfinished letter closes abruptly, hav- 

 ing neither signature nor address. Perhaps 

 the writer's courage failed him and it never 

 was sent. An old letter (date 1827) from 

 Cuvier to Martius, found among Agassiz's pa- 

 pers of this time, and containing the very 

 notes on the Spix Fishes to which allusion 

 is here made, leaves no doubt, however, that 

 this appeal was intended for the great master 

 who exercised so powerful an influence upon 

 Agassiz throughout his whole life. 



In the spring of 1829 Agassiz took his 



