172 LOUIS AGASSIZ. [CHAI-. xxi. 



instead of choosing one of these, he appointed another 

 pupil, who after a futile attempt at work on the Brachi- 

 opoda, took to teaching geology. After some years his 

 official position of professor of palaeontology became so 

 embarrassing, even to himself, that he asked to have his 

 title changed to professor of geology. 



Finally, the third mistake was the appointment of a 

 third-rate zoologist for the chair of zoology. After a 

 few years the incumbent retired. 



The preceding details are necessary in order to show 

 a foible in Agassiz's character, and how some of his 

 greatest efforts and successes were partly paralyzed by 

 his choice of associates and substitutes in zoology, 

 palaeontology, and geology. 



It had become an absolute necessity to increase the 

 financial resources of the Museum ; for the constant 

 addition of specimens involved such expense that it 

 was almost impossible to carry on active operations 

 even in the most meagre way. In 1867, Agassiz 

 obtained a grant of ten thousand dollars from the Leg- 

 islature of Massachusetts, and from the American Con- 

 gress the remittance of excise duty on alcohol used for 

 scientific purposes; and again in 1868, the Legislature 

 granted seventy-five thousand dollars for an extension 

 of the building, and private individuals subscribed a 

 similar sum. Work was begun at once, and two-fifths 

 of the north wing was added to the two-fifths already 

 standing. It was impossible to do more at the moment, 

 and the final tilth of the north wing was left to be 

 added at some future time. 



Over four hundred and seventy-three thousand dol- 



