410 EEPOKT— 1873. 



fauna. To bring this confusion to an end, it will require more than one 

 lustrum and more than one thousand pounds. There may perhaps have 

 risen a prejudice among Sj-stematists against the new establishment, as one 

 which, in consequence of the partiality of its leader for Darwinian views, 

 might dispense altogether with Systematists. Nothing could be more erro- 

 neous than such an opinion. The leader of the Zoological Station is as little 

 opposed to Systematists as the Darwinian theory itself. He is of opinion that 

 zoological battles may be best won, according to Count Moltke's principle, " by 

 marching separately and fighting conjunctively," thus leaving to Systema- 

 tists their own route, as well as to anatomists, physiologists, and embryolo- 

 gists, on condition only that they will, when meeting the enemy (Error and 

 Ignorance), fight together ; and he desires the Zoological Station to become 

 such a battle-field, where all the different zoological armies may meet and 

 fight their common adversaries. 



That such wars need much of the one element, which, according to 

 Montecuculi, best secures victory, " money, money, money," will be illustrated 

 by two letters, which Dr. Dohrn has received from Professor Louis Agassiz, 

 and which he has been authorized to publish. 



The celebrated American naturalist writes, uuder the date " Museum of 

 Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., 10 June, 1873," the following : — 



" It is a great pleasure and satisfaction to me that I can tell you how, 

 in consequence of the munificence of a wealthy New York merchant, it has 

 become my duty to erect an establishment whose main object will be similar 

 to that of your Naples Station, only that teaching is to be united with it. The 

 thing came thus to pass : — During last winter I applied to our State autho- 

 rities to secure more means for the Museum in Cambridge (Mass.). Among 

 the reasons I alluded to the necessity of having greater means for teaching 

 purposes. I addressed my speech to our deputy, and it was afterwards re- 

 ported in the newspapers. By chance the report fell into the hands of a rich 

 and magnanimous tobacco-manufacturer, Mr. John Anderson, of New York. 

 He sent on the same day a telegram, asking me whether I would be at homo 

 the following day in order to meet two friends : to which I answered, Yes ! The 

 two gentlemen came by order of Mr. Anderson, offering me a pretty island in 

 Buzzard Bayfor the purpose of erecting a zoological school. I accepted this offer, 

 of course, but added that without farther pecuniary means it would be difficult 

 to teach there. After two days a sum of .50,000 dollars was handed over to me ; 

 and now I am erecting there a school for Natural History, which at the same 

 time will be, as a Zoological Station in the immediate neighbourhood of the 

 Gulf-stream, of the greatest assistance to our zoologists, especially as splendid 

 dredging-ground exists there. This certainly must greatly promote zoological 

 study in the United States. Already forty teachers of our normal and high 

 schools have applied for this summer's lessons ; besides, I shall be accompanied 

 by my pxivate students. 



" Some of my colleagues are ready to assist me, so that I may hope to 

 obtain already some results before winter's appi'oach." 



The next letter is dated " Penikese, August 13th, 1873," and contains 

 some more information. 



" The school was opened on the 8th of July. Some of my friends have 

 assisted me as teachers ; several other naturalists are occupied with special 

 studies; the bottom of the sea is very rich, the general situation quite 

 excellent. The solitude which prevails is a great help for our teaching pur- 

 poses. As students, forty teachers of our public schools are present, besides 

 ten younger gentlemen, who are preparing for a scientific career. 



