104 



PROF. AGASSIZ'S LECTURES. 



been systematically done upon real data. And 

 when I see the possibility of leaving aside this ar- 

 bitrary method of classification, I insist upon the 

 value even of superfical comparison of all embry- 

 onic forms. And when this has been done more 

 extensively than it has been done up to the pre- 

 sent time, then it will be time to reconsider the 

 whole department of Paleontology, in order to 

 compare the forms of former periods with the early 

 stages of growth of the animals of the present cre- 

 ation. 



All the information about the fossils all the in- 

 formation of former ages, will have to be compar- 

 ed with those embryonic forms, in order to under- 

 stand more fully the analogy which exists between 

 these earlier types, and the successive changes 



which those of our day undergo to assume their 

 final form. If I am not mistaken, we shall obtain 

 from sketches of those embryonic forms more cor- 

 rect figures of fossil animals than have been ac 

 quired by actual restoration. 



The few hints which I have been able to give ai 

 only indications towards what is to be done. The 

 comparison, step by step, between the various fos- 

 sils of all Geological periods between the great 

 changes which all families undergo, step by step- 

 also remains to be done, and then the plan of the 

 creation will be better understood. Then we shall 

 more fully acquire an insight into these harmo- 

 nies, by which the whole is combined and carried 

 through ages to the perfection which has : llowed 

 man to stand at the head of Creation. 



Erratum, A line is omitted from the bottom of the 26th page. After the word wkick, last line, 

 read as follows : " indeed does not come within the plan of the present course." 



We subjoin a specimen of Phonography from Dr. STONE'S notes. It is the first four lines of the 

 twelfth Lecture. 



A-/C 



