774 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



New England bay was very suggestive of gla- 

 cial phenomena. Erratic materials and boul- 

 ders transported from the north were scattered 

 over its surface, and Agassiz found the illus- 

 trations for his lectures on this topic ready to 

 his hand. Indeed, some of his finest lectures 

 on the ice-period were given at Penikese. 



Nothing could be less artificial, more free 

 from constraint or formality, than the inter- 

 course between him and his companions of 

 this summer. He was at home with every 

 member of the settlement. Ill-health did not 

 check the readiness of his sympathy; lan- 

 guor did not chill the glow of his enthusiasm. 

 All turned to him for help and inspiration. 

 Walking over their little sovereignty together, 

 hunting for specimens on its beaches, dredg- 

 ing from the boats, in the laboratory, or the 

 lecture-room, the instruction had always the 

 character of the freest discussion. Yet the 

 work, although combined with out - of - door 

 pleasures, and not without a certain holiday 

 element, was no play. On the part of the 

 students, the application was close and unre- 

 mitting ; on the part of the teachers, the 

 instruction, though untrammeled by routine, 

 was sustained and systematic. 



Agassiz himself frequently gave two lee- 



