222 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



uals here are now much interested in public 

 instruction, and I am satisfied that sooner or 

 later my collection will be purchased, though 

 nothing has been said about it lately. 1 



For a closer description of my family of 

 Lepidostei, to which belong all the ante-chalk 

 bony fishes, I am anxious to have for dissec- 

 tion a Polypterus Bichir and a Lepidosteus 

 osseus, or any other species belonging exclu- 

 sively to the present creation. Hitherto, I 

 have only been able to examine and describe 

 the skeleton and external parts. If you could 

 obtain a specimen of both for me you would 

 do me the greatest service. If necessary, I 

 will engage to return the preparations. I beg 

 for this most earnestly. Forgive the many 

 requests contained in this letter, and see in it 

 only my ardent desire to reach my aim, in 

 which you have already helped me so often 

 and so kindly. 



HUMBOLDT TO AGASSIZ. 



SANS Souci, July 4, 1833. 



... I am happy in your success, my dear 

 Agassiz, happy in your charming letter of 

 May 22d, happy in the hope of having been 



1 His collection was finally purchased by the city of Neu- 

 chatel in the spring of 1833. 



