THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. 17 



find golden hair to kindle, without waiting 1 for the sea to 

 turn under it. Why, then, cannot AVC have a Natural 

 History Society in America? In fact, we already have a 

 little one, up here in these Berkshire Hills. And we en- 

 joy it so thoroughly, and learn so much from it, that we 

 wish it to grow larger. 



Not many of you need be told why we have named 

 our Society THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. There are 

 few that have not heard something of the life and work 

 of that famous man so universally honored and beloved 

 Professor Louis Agassiz. In 1846 the great Naturalist 

 left his native Switzerland, made America his home, ac- 

 cepted a Professorship at Harvard College, and built up 

 the greatest school of Natural History in this country. 

 Though one of the most learned, he was also one of the 

 most devout and gentle of men. 



Mrs. Agassiz, the widow of Louis Agassiz, and Profes- 

 sor Alexander Agassiz, his son, lend their cordial ap- 

 proval to our Society and its work, and have very kindly 

 given us permission to use the father's name. 



THE RESPONSE. 



This invitation met a response at once gratifying 

 and unexpected. A very general interest in the study 

 of nature has been evinced by young and old. Classes 

 or chapters have been formed in different towns, under 

 the direction of the central organization, and, where this 

 has been impracticable, individuals have joined as cor- 

 responding members. Since 1880, more than twenty 

 thousand students have been aided, and more than 

 twelve hundred local scientific societies established. 

 Though originally planned as an aid to young people, the 

 interest of the older ones has proved even greater, and 

 we are gratified to find on our roll of membership the 



