196 LOUIS AGASSIZ. [CHAP. xxn. 



the progress of the institution. Frank de Pourtales was 

 a man always true to his word, a rare and most trusty 

 friend. His original work in natural history was con- 

 fined to the deep-sea corals of the Gulf Stream area in 

 the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the 

 Florida coast, to crinoids and to halcyonarians. He 

 died in July, 1889, at the age of fifty-seven years, and 

 is buried in Mount Auburn cemetery, not far from the 

 grave of his old teacher and friend. 



A few quotations from the last report of Louis 

 Agassiz and from the first of his son and successor 

 will show the condition and standing of the Mu- 

 seum of Comparative Zoology during the last year 

 of the life of its founder and at the moment of his 

 death. 



I have heard it said repeatedly, that the organization of the 

 Museum was too comprehensive, that it covered a wider range than 

 was useful in the present state of science among us, and that since 

 it must collapse whenever I should be taken away, it was unwise to 

 support it on so large a scale. The past year has proved beyond 

 question that the Museum is now so organized (vitalized, as it were, 

 with the spirit of thought and connected work) that my presence or 

 absence is of little importance. It will keep on its course without 

 any new or repeated stimulus beyond the necessary appropriations 

 for its maintenance. As to the expense, I cannot feel that it is dis- 

 proportionate, because when I compare it with that of institutions 

 of the same character I see that they spend much more for smaller 

 results. The only question now is, whether a museum of the first 

 order is needed in Massachusetts, or not. If the Legislature will 

 favour us with a visit, I would gladly submit our institution to the 

 most critical examination of its organization. I think I can satisty 

 any competent visitor, that by her liberal support of the Museum. 

 our state has earned the right to say, that among civilized cum- 



