60 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



Crimea ; though the heat was great, 50 C. (122 F.) 

 in the sun, he undertook zoological excursions 

 and surprised every one by his endurance and 

 energy. 



At the end of the holidays he returned to Odessa 

 and began his professorate with much zeal and 

 success. His lucid, living lectures stimulated his 

 pupils, third-year students, who were all older than 

 himself. Friendly relations soon reigned between 

 them and their young lecturer ; he organised practical 

 studies, and his laboratory became a very active 

 centre of work. 



Thus everything was going well, and perhaps he 

 might have remained at Odessa for a long time if it 

 had not been for the following incident, due to his 

 passionate and intolerant disposition. A Congress of 

 Russian naturalists was to take place in Petersburg 

 at the end of the year 1867. Elie eagerly wished to 

 attend it as a delegate and took steps for that purpose ; 

 this brought him into conflict with his chief, who 

 desired the mission for himself. Knowing that the 

 old Professor had no real scientific interests, Elie 

 thought himself justified in insisting, and counted 

 upon Cienkovsky's support, but the latter was of 

 opinion that the younger man should give way. Elie, 

 becoming more and more excited, lost all sense of 

 proportion and committed the grave error of telling 

 his pupils about what he considered a serious injustice. 

 The latter, out of sympathy for their young lecturer, 

 hooted the old Professor, which naturally embittered 

 the quarrel. However, all the agitation ended in both 

 zoologists being sent to the Congress in the quality of 

 delegates. 



When he reached Petersburg, Elie hurried to the 



