238 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



The first number of the " Fossil Fishes " had 

 already appeared, and had been greeted with 

 enthusiasm by scientific men. Elie de Beau- 

 mont writes Agassiz in June, 1834 : " I have 

 read with great pleasure your first number ; it 

 promises us a work as important for science 

 as it is remarkable in execution. Do not let 

 yourself be discouraged by obstacles of any 

 kind ; they will give way before the concert 

 of approbation which so excellent a work will 

 awaken. I shall always be glad to aid in over- 

 coming any one of them." 



Perhaps it is as well to give here a slight 

 sketch of this work, the execution of which 

 was carried on during the next ten years 

 (1833-1843). The inscription tells, in few 

 words, the author's reverence for Humboldt 

 and his personal gratitude to him. " These 

 pages owe to you their existence ; accept their 

 dedication." The title gives in a broad out- 

 line the comprehensive purpose of the work: 



" Researches on the Fossil Fishes : compris- 

 ing an Introduction to the Study of these Ani- 

 mals; the Comparative Anatomy of Organic 

 Systems which may contribute to facilitate the 

 Determination of Fossil Species ; a New Classi- 

 fication of Fishes expressing their Relations to 

 the Series of Formations ; the Explanation of 



