F. GEOGRAPHY. 105 



July or August, and in that event the exploration in ques- 

 tion would have commenced off the coast of the United States. 

 Owing, however, to unexpected delays, the vessel has but re- 

 cently fitted out and reported at Boston, where she has been 

 detained, undergoing alterations of her machineiy. We have 

 already noticed the general plan and objects of the expedi- 

 tion. The scientific corps, as will be remembered, consists 

 of Professor and Mrs. Agassiz, Count Pourtales, Ex-President 

 Hill, of Cambridge, Dr. White, Mr. James Blake, and Dr. Stein- 

 dachner, each gentleman having special charge of a particu- 

 lar department of the work, and interested in its successful 

 accomplishment. The vessel itself is under the command of 

 Captain P. C. Johnson, with Messrs. Kennedy and Day as lieu- 

 tenants. Owing to the lateness of the season, the original 

 plan of making extended explorations in the West Indies and 

 off the eastern coast of South America has necessarily been 

 modified, and the vessel will probably proceed almost direct- 

 ly to the Falkland Islands and the Straits of Magellan, there 

 to commence the comprehensive investigations proposed, as 

 otherwise a sufficient share of the summer season of the 

 Straits could not be secured. The Atlantic Ocean work thus 

 given up will, in all probability, partly, at least, be performed 

 by the A. D. Bache, a consort of the Hassler, next year. Bos- 

 ton Advertiser ', JV. Y. Tribune, etc. 



AGASSIZ'S PROPHECY. 



Just before the departure of the United States Coast Sur- 

 vey exploring steamer Hassler upon its scientific mission, 

 Professor Agassiz addressed a communication to the Super- 

 intendent of the Coast Survey, in which he ventured to as- 

 sume the character of a prophet by stating in advance what 

 it was probable would crown their efforts in the way of dis- 

 covery. 



The professor makes this communication in the hope of 

 showing within what limits natural history has advanced to- 

 ward that point of maturity when science may anticipate the 

 discovery of facts. Basing his expectations upon the ascer- 

 tained principles of science, and taking into consideration the 

 relationships between different forms of animal life, and the 

 succession of geological epochs, and in view of the very in- 

 teresting results of later deep-sea dredging expeditions in 



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