ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 257 



an institution for to-day, and an institution for the training of men, may sinli 

 deep into all our hearts, and inspire us all for tiie work which is to come. 



Professor Torrey, of Columbia College, New York, responded to 

 a call from President Davidson, as follows : 



After the distinguished gentlemen who have preceded me, there remains but 

 little for me to say. Those who know me are aware that for many years I have 

 had the greatest desire to explore this great State. I may say, that for many 

 years I have had California on the brain. For a long time I never expected to 

 see it, although I spent many years in investigating the collections of natural 

 history, especially of botany, brought from California, as the various volumes of 

 railroad explorations, etc., will show. Seven years ago I had the pleasure of 

 coming here for the first time, and attending a meeting of this Society. That 

 pleasure is now renewed under peculiar circumstances. So happy ain I to 

 meet my excellent friends and the gentlemen who have just addressed you. 

 Now I may say, my joy is no less than it was when I was here before. I have 

 spent all my time without cessation, since I arrived, in examining the botanical 

 productions of California. Although botany has occupied so much of my time, 

 chemistry is my profession, and I regarded botany as an ama.-:einent ; yet my 

 zeal in either study has not been diminished, notwithstanding I am many years 

 older than my good friend near me, who thinks he is advanced in years. I 

 have been galvanized into making you another visit, and now I propose to re- 

 main longer, and then return to work still more upon the flora of this State, 

 hoping to add some material to the large work which is expected when the 

 Geological Survey is completed. I have done already much toward it, and 

 hope to do more before I am taken away. 



President Davidson said that in inviting Prof. Agassiz to ad- 

 dress the Society, he intimated to him that but a few words would 

 be expected from him. He hoped, however, that before leaving us. 

 Prof. Agassiz would say something on what has been accomplished 

 by the expedition under his charge. 



Professor Agassiz said : It may be thought egotistic in me to speak of what 

 has been accomplished under my directions, but I may say that every officer 

 and person connected with the ship, from the Captain to the sailors, contributed 

 to the success of the expedition, rendering such help as made my labor an easy 

 task and the^ journey a very profitable one. Dr. Steindachner, whose exertions 

 have been so untiring, deserves special mention, as but for him the collection 

 would not have been one-half so large. We had younger men, but none of 

 more unwearied industry. Mr. Blake, Dr. Hill, and in fact all connected with 

 the force, worked diligently and efficiently ; while everybody on board con- 

 tributed to the success. Dr. Hill rendered great service in the collection of 

 specimens of marine plants, although his legitimate duties were of an entirely 

 different nature. Dr. Pitkin had also been of much service, and all had taken 



