LOUIS AGASSIZ 139 



of earlier geologic times. Unfortunately, 

 the dredging apparatus of the Hassler 

 was faulty, and the most important hauls 

 were lost, so that the expedition cannot 

 be called successful ; and the prophecies 

 remained to wait fulfilment or contra- 

 diction. 



As regards glacial work, the results 

 were better. The magnificent glaciers 

 of the Straits of Magellan gave Agassiz 

 "a kind of home feeling," and among 

 them he passed " weeks of exquisite de- 

 light." The traces of past glaciers still 

 more magnificent were as he had foretold 

 them. The lover of travels will find in 

 Mrs. Agassiz 7 s journal both charming 

 narrative and vivid word-painting, the 

 pictures ranging in subject from the 

 boat-load of degraded Fuegian savages 

 clamouring for beads and biscuits, pray- 

 ing, shrieking, screaming, to the unheed- 

 ing engines that bore all chance of more 

 "tabac" away from them ; to the calm 

 and stately panorama of the Straits of 



