LINNEAX SOCIETY Ol' LONDON'. 85 



at HarAard. They are noted for their lucid statements of facts 

 and for their excellent illustrations, which are made, to a large 

 degree, to take the place of further description. They present a 

 veritable mine of information to be drawn on by investigators 

 interested in oceanic and other islands. The later expeditions 

 were undertaken mainl}^ to elucidate the problem of the forma- 

 tion of coral reefs. Professor Agassiz had at the time of his 

 death practically completed his work on this important problem. 

 He had hoped to present his book during the present summer : 

 it had arrived at such a point that it is not likely to be 

 long delayed. It should put the crown oil forty years of con- 

 tinuous research, undertaken in every region of the world. 



In addition to his oceanographical work, Professor Agassiz 

 publislied many Monographs on HydrozoaandEchiuoderma. His 

 tirst paper was on the " Embryology of the Starfish," in 1804, and 

 he followed this up by reports on the Acalepha3 and on the 

 " Embryology of the C'tenophorae." His " Revision of the Echini," 

 4to, 774 pp., with an atlas of 94 plates, 1872-4, is a classical 

 publication for reference ; while his last contribution to " Hawaiian 

 and other Pacific Echini" was issued only last year. The variety 

 and extent of his published works are very great, mostly in large 

 and important Monographs giving the results of his collecting 

 in the ' Blake ' and in the ' Albatross,' U.S. Government steamers 

 which he was allowed to run on paying their working expenses. 



Alexander Agassiz was all his life connected in some way or 

 other with the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard. He 

 succeeded his father as Director and Curator in 1874, and he built 

 up the Museum from a small Institution to a magnificent home for 

 his wonderfully rich collections from all parts of the world. He 

 himself, to a large degree, built and endowed the Museum, which 

 will ever remain as an enduring monument of his wonderful 

 energy. Its publications he paid for on a most lavish scale 

 and he equipped it with the most modern scientific apparatus. In 

 his will he further bequeathed to it =£40,000 with a possible residual 

 share in his estate. His gifts to the Museum altogether probably 

 reached at least =£500,000. His full model of Eunafuti atoll is a 

 magnificent piece of work, while his vast collections will form, as it 

 were, an immense library for future researchers in Oceanography. 



In conclusion one must refer to the great charm of Professor 

 Agassiz as a man. He belonged to no country but rather to the 

 whole world of science : he was cosmopolitan in every sense, a 

 Eellow or an Honorary Member of Scientific Societies in every 

 country, a welcome guest everywliere ; he was noted for his un- 

 failing courtesy to all, to the most junior student as much as to 

 the Professor or Director. To anyone researching on coral reefs 

 he gave special encouragement. He was not prodigal of advice, 

 but what he did give it would be wise to follow. He was not above 

 taking advice from those junior to himself. He was a man of 

 indomitable energy ; subject to sea-sickness, many of Ids cruises 



