Coe — A Century of Zoology in America. 373 



important results from both the scientific and economic 

 standpoints. 



Under the charge of Alexander Agassiz the Coast Sur- 

 vey Steamer "Blake," in 1877 to 1880, was engaged in 

 dredging operations in three cruises to various parts of 

 the Atlantic. The IT. S. Fish Commission Steamer 

 "Albatross," also in charge of Agassiz, made three expe- 

 ditions in the tropical and other parts of the Pacific in the 

 years from 1891 to 1905. The study of these collections 

 has added greatly to our knowledge of systematic zoology 

 and geographical distribution. The reports on some of 

 the groups are still in course of preparation. 



Period op Evolution. 



The time from 1870 to 1890 may be appropriately called 

 the period of evolution, for although it commences eleven 

 years after the publication of the Origin of Species, the 

 importance of the natural selection theory was but slowly 

 receiving general recognition. The hesitation in accept- 

 ing this theory was due in no small degree to the opposi- 

 tion of Louis Agassiz. After the acceptance of evolution, 

 although morphological and embryological studies con- 

 tinued as before, they were prosecuted with reference to 

 their bearing on evolutionary problems. 



Following closely the methods which had produced so 

 much progress during the life of Agassiz, the field of 

 zoology was now occupied by a new generation, among 

 whom the pupils of Agassiz were the most prominent. 



The teaching of biology at this time was also strongly 

 influenced by Huxley, whose methods of conducting lab- 

 oratory classes for elementary students were adopted in 

 most of our large schools and colleges. This placed 

 biology on the same plane with chemistry as a means for 

 training in laboratory methods and discipline, 'with the 

 added advantage that the subject of biology is much more 

 intimately connected with the student's everyday life and 

 affairs^ 



This increasing demand for instruction in biology and 

 the consequent necessity for more teachers brought an 

 increasing number of investigators into this field. New 

 zoological text-books were also required. The "Stand- 

 ard Natural History," published in 1885, remains the 

 most comprehensive general work on animals. 



