52 LOUIS AGASSIZ. [CHAP. iv. 



between the Different Branches of Natural History," 

 which was given on Nov. 12, before all the edu- 

 cated and intelligent men Neuchatel could assemble, 

 his father included, -- on the 6th of December, 1832, 

 he founded the " Societe des Sciences Naturelles 

 de Neuchatel," in the parlour of M. Louis de Cou- 

 lon, Sr., who was elected president, while Agassiz 

 was made secretary. During the first six years of 

 its existence the society met at M. de Coulon's 

 private house. It was rather more a scientific club 

 than a true society, meeting twice a month from No- 

 vember until May, and monthly only during the rest 

 of the year. The annual subscription was moderately 

 placed at three francs (sixty cents). Only six persons 

 founded the society,- -Agassiz, Auguste de Montmol- 

 lin, the geologist, Louis de Coulon, Jr., and three others. 

 At the end of the first three years of its existence, 

 the number of fellows was only twenty-five, and not 

 more than six or eight members were often present at 

 the meetings. Agassiz was the leading spirit ; and he 

 wrote the proceedings of the sections of natural history 

 and medical science for the years 1833, 1834, 1835, 

 and 1836. His first contribution was a " General Re- 

 port on the Progress of Natural History during the 

 Last Few Years," in which he paid a tribute of admi- 

 ration to George Cuvier, and at the same time lamented 

 the recent death of "Ce heros de la science"; and 

 declared that the only way to success is by " the con- 

 scientious observation of nature." 



Not satisfied with delivering a course to his class at 

 the college, he gathered round him a select and limited 



