CONCLUSION. 147 



future, that we must soon look for special help, instruc- 

 tion and guidance. Meanwhile we need them still among 1 

 us to encourage us by their example, and to aid us by 

 their work. And we want to help them, too. We must 

 provide higher courses of study discover the best books 

 for students more advanced, and help those who need 

 it to secure the best instruction.' I was greatly pleased, 

 while resting by the sea, to find in the laboratory at 

 Annisquam, among the twenty-five earnest workers who 

 were bending day after day, and night after night, over 

 the dissecting-table and the microscope, no less than 

 seven men and women who either are or have been mem- 

 bers of the Agassiz Association. Here is the moral of it: 

 youthful observation of nature, wisely directed, grows 

 into manly and womanly consecration to science. 



Now, one thing' our Association ought to do in the 

 near future is to secure control of one or more tables 

 in this and other thoroughly eqiiipped laboratories, and 

 place them year by year freely at the disposal of such 

 of our number as may show themselves worthy. 



We wish also to establish courses of study with 

 greater regularitj', and of wider range. I should like 

 to see a yearly correspondence course in each of the 

 branches of natural science, conducted by the best 

 teachers of America. I should wish these courses, speci- 

 mens included, to be absolutely free; and I should wish 

 the men who give them well paid for their time and 

 work. 



At present, as we depend entirely upon volunteers, 

 our courses, though frequent, are rather desultory, and 

 accompanied with some slight expense for specimens 

 and printing. To do all we hope to do will cost much 

 money, and the money must be raised. The Agassiz 

 Association must be endowed, and the money will come, 



