704 Chronicles of Science. [Oct., 



St. Vincent. A person bathing was seized by the long arms of this 

 Acaleph, which wound its twining thongs completely round his body 

 and instantly benumbed him. He would have been drowned had not 

 a companion with him pulled him out of the water : but it was some 

 hours before any hope was entertained of his recovery ; his flesh was 

 then twitching frightfully, and his body covered with wheals the size 

 of one's finger, as if he had been beaten with thick cords. 



X. SCIENCE IN BRAZIL. 



In the Chronicle of Zoology of the last number of this Journal, we 

 announced that Professor Agassiz and a party had left New York on 

 the way to South America, on an exploring expedition, his chief object 

 being to make extensive collections in zoology, and observations in 

 other natural sciences. The expenses of the expedition are, as we 

 stated, defrayed by Mr. Thayer, a liberal citizen of Boston. 



Professor Agassiz arrived at Rio Janeiro, and leaving behind him 

 a memento of his presence, has passed onwards to the Amazons. His 

 progress so far has been chronicled by an excellent little journal 

 called ' The Anglo-Brazilian Times,' and a copy of that journal 

 (dated July 8th) having been forwarded to us, we extract from it for 

 the perusal of our readers the following interesting account of services 

 rendered to science by Professor Agassiz during his sojourn in 

 Rio:— 



" In the midst of so much of the conflicting elements of war, with the 

 news of victory scarcely subsiding into calm before other reports of defeat 

 and disaster come to distress the public mind, and to kindle, let us hope, 

 in all hearts a yet stronger spirit of national enthusiasm, we as journalists 

 have to note that, side by side, the desolation of war is accompanied by 

 the peaceful spirit of scientific investigation. Professor Agassiz has for a 

 time suspended his operations in this part of the empire, and is going with 

 his staff to explore the district watered by the Amazon. 



"Our readers wiU be aware that since the illustrious stranger arrived 

 in Rio he has not been for a moment at rest. Whilst his assistants have 

 been each in his special department working towards the attainment of 

 the object which they have in view in Tropical America, the Professor 

 himself has been the most active of the party, trying to win from nature 

 the secrets which she holds, and we are informed that many new and 

 interesting facts have been added to the domain of science. Apart from 

 the collection of these facts, and from expeditions in and about the Pro- 

 vince of Rio de Janeiro, the Professor has given us opportunities of hearing 

 him explain his theory of erratic boulders, and all who have heard him 

 have been struck with the ease by which the dry bones of a scientific fact 

 can be made replete with interest when handled with simple grace by a 

 clear and comprehensive intellect. The illustrious teacher is, as we have 

 said, going for a time from the capital, let us be assured only to return to 

 it laden with treasures which will, under his powerful exposition, teem 

 with interest for scientific men in all quarters of the globe, and which for 

 the country we are in will have a very direct and special importance. 



" We have from the outset looked upon this expedition with great 



