6 



exhibition-rooms, lecture-room, working-rooms, etc. Prof. Agassiz had 

 for a long time discussed the plan and the requirements of a museum 

 with Mr. Henry Greenough of Cambridge ; and now, when the oppor- 

 tunity offered for carrying out these views, Mr. Greenough and Mr. 

 George Snell, the architect, of Boston, with a generosity which has 

 never been publicly noticed, and should not be forgotten, volunteered 

 their services to make the plans of such a museum as Professor Agas- 

 siz had contemplated for many years. This museum, when com- 

 pleted, was to consist of a main building 364 feet in length by 64 feet 

 in width, with wings 205 feet in length and 64 feet in width ; but as 

 the present object was to meet the immediate requirements of the Mu- 

 seum, it was decided that the first portion built should only be two 

 fifths of the north wing, which would give ample room for the collec- 

 tions of Professor 'Agassiz and for the necessary working-rooms, lecture- 

 room, etc. required for the assistants and students connected with the 

 Institution. 



THE LAYING OP THE CORNER-STONE 



of the Museum of Comparative Zoology took place with appropriate 

 ceremonies on the 14th of June, 1859. Governor Banks opened the 

 proceedings by briefly stating the nature of the occasion, and intro- 

 duced Professor Agassiz, who made a short address, expressing the 

 pleasure with which he participated in the ceremony of the day. 



" I am glad," he said, " before my departure for Europe to see ground 

 actually broken in the establishment of another purely American institution 

 of science, — one which by its successful operation cannot fail to release 

 America from foreign dependence in matters of science and from that criti- 

 cism and control which the learned men of Europe have heretofore assumed 

 exclusively to exercise. It is gratifying to observe what has already been 

 accomplished ; a collection has been gathered which is sufficient to teach 

 American students all that they can learn of comparative zoology, until they 

 are prepared to undertake their own original investigations, and the means 

 have been provided to erect a safe and convenient building to preserve this 

 collection. Moreover, it is part of our design to expend as little as possible 

 of our means in brick and mortar. After completing the building to be this 

 day begun, we shall still have a part of our funds applicable to the enlarge- 

 ment of the collection. At present we shall be content with half of one 

 of the wings of the great building ; but extensive as is the plan, I cannot 

 doubt that the whole will ultimately be completed. I feel sure that means 

 will be provided as fast as they can be usefully applied, and if I should not 

 survive to witness the completion of the whole design, I know that I leave 

 behind me among my pupils those who will be amply able to aid in carrying 



