HOW AGASSIZ TAUGHT 



their tails, bearing aloft umbrellas; and gro- 

 tesque fishes with gaping mouths and staring 

 eyes. The Professor came in shortly after, and 

 was as amused as any at our experiments. He 

 looked at the fishes. 



*Haemulons, every one of them,' he said; 

 *Mr. drew them.' 



True; and to this day, if I attempt a fish, 

 I can draw nothing but haemulons. 



The fourth day, a second fish of the same 

 group was placed beside the first, and I was 

 bidden to point out the resemblances and 

 differences between the two; another and 

 another followed, until the entire family lay 

 before me, and a whole legion of jars covered 

 the table and surrounding shelves; the odor 

 had become a pleasant perfume ; and even now, 

 the sight of an old, six-inch, worm-eaten cork 

 brings fragrant memories. 



The whole group of haemulons was thus 

 brought in review; and, whether engaged upon 

 the dissection of the internal organs, the 

 preparation and examination of the bony frame- 

 work, or the description of the various parts, 

 Agassiz's training in the method of observing 



[47] 



