INTRODUCTION. 11 



The work of the Agassiz Association is of vast import- 

 ance to science, but if it were not dependent upon volun- 

 tary labor, its efficiency would be even greater than it is. 

 It has already reached a period when provision should 

 begin to be made for placing its work upon the more per- 

 manent basis of funded property and paid labor. That 

 it is worthy of the support already received from its 

 thousands of members cannot be questioned, and this is 

 a sufficient guarantee that it would be a proper and use- 

 ful trustee and administrator of a part of the large sums 

 annually distributed by public-spirited persons to insti- 

 tutions having not a tithe of its claims to their favorable 

 consideration. 



The support now obtainable from legislators for the 

 uses of science is hard to get, simply because they have, 

 as individuals, no practical experience of the benefits of 

 science-teaching, either in their own lives or those of 

 their children. They allow themselves to be persuaded 

 frequently into giving appropriations for the benefit of 

 science, but they know that their constituents have little 

 sympathy, and are even less disposed than themselves to 

 allow the public money to be used for what seems to 

 them purely aesthetical purposes. The arrival of 

 the public at a stage of enlightenment and proper 

 appreciation whicth must render the task of science light- 

 er and more effective, will probably be much facilitated 

 by the work of the Agassiz Association. The numerous 

 chapters scattered throughout the land cannot fail to 

 effect more or less of a revolution in the modes of life and 

 thought of thousands of families, and through them 

 sensibly affect many communities. Leaving out of sight 

 all other effects, this influence alone would entitle the 

 Association to the support of scientific men. The labors 

 of the Association are, however, entitled to serious con- 



