The Life and Writings of Agassiz. 3 



also began to inquire into their habits, their manner of life, 

 and the characters by which they are distinguished. He 

 took part in all fishing excursions, accompanied the fisher- 

 men on all occasions, and often went alone, with his line in 

 hand, to pass whole days in the middle of the lake. When 

 he came afterwards to compare the results which he had ob- 

 tained with the accounts given in treatises on Natural His- 

 tory, he saw immediately how much remained to be done in 

 this department, and the idea of filling this gap constantly 

 occupied his mind. 



He had now finished his studies at school. It was to be 

 expected that, following the example of his ancestors, he 

 would devote himself to the priesthood. But Natural History 

 had gained too much ascendency. His father wisely left to 

 him the choice of a profession. He chose that of Medicine, 

 as off^ering the most opportunities for pursuing his beloved 

 studies. He commenced the study of Medicine at the Aca- 

 demy of Zurich, where he was most kindly received by Pro- 

 fessor Schinz, who admitted him to an intimate acquaintance, 

 and furnished every facility in his power for the pursuit of 

 his zoological researches. From Zurich he went to the Uni- 

 versity of Heidelberg, where he devoted himself especially to 

 the study of Anatomy, under the direction of the celebrated 

 Professor Tiedemann. His assiduity in study did not prevent 

 him from taking part in all the amusements of the student 

 life, so that the Swiss corps chose him for their president ; 

 and long after he had quitted the University he was still 

 spoken of as an accomplished Bursch, possessing the rare 

 talent of managing with equal dexterity the rapier and the 

 scalpel. 



It was at this time that the Bavarian Government, having 

 recently organized the University of Munich, called thither 

 as professors the most eminent men of Germany in all the 

 departments of science. There were brought together at 

 that time — Oken, the celebrated zoologist ; Martins, the bo- 

 tanist, who had lately returned from his travels in South 

 America, with a rich harvest of scientific materials ; Schel- 

 ling, the great philosopher; and Dollinger, the founder of 

 modern Physiology. Such a corps of teachers could not fail 

 to attract a large body of youth eager to learn. Among 



