42 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKQFF 



his researches some very singular fresh-water crea- 

 tures, partly like Kotifera and partly like certain 

 worms of the Nematode group. He succeeded in 

 establishing a new intermediate order which he named 

 " Gastrotricha," and which was straightway accepted. 



The whole of his first year at the University was 

 given up to those special studies. As he was fuUy 

 aware that the teaching of the University did not 

 answer to his aspirations, he resolved to remain there 

 as short a time as possible, and to get through the course 

 of studies in two years instead of the four which were 

 usual. In order to succeed in doing so, he provision- 

 ally gave up his scientific researches, attended the 

 lectures as a free auditor, and spent the whole' of the 

 second year in cramming for the " candidate " exam- 

 ination, which answers to a Licentiate in Western 

 universities. It happened again this time that the 

 examinations coincided with the Opera season, but, 

 though he indulged in his passion for music, he 

 succeeded, by dint of a supreme efiort, in passing them 

 very brilliantly. 



Having gone through the University at such an 

 accelerated pace, he did not come into contact with 

 other students, who, themselves chiefly preoccupied 

 with poUtics, took little interest in a youth so ex- 

 clusively absorbed in science. He therefore formed 

 none of those attractive juvenile friendships which 

 he had enjoyed at the Lycee. His hasty University 

 studies necessarily left lacunae in his general know- 

 ledge, a fact which he afterwards keenly deplored. 



With the exception of Tschelkoff, his teachers 

 had had no decisive influence on his career, and his 

 two years at the University formed but a colourless 

 episode in his life. 



