66 MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. [Feb. 



To accomplish this aim, it is indispensable to explore such parts of 

 the world as have not yet been scientifically surveyed. But as I do 

 not feel justified in applying means which have been appropriated for 

 more special purposes to such explorations, I should have been unable 

 to accomplish anything in that direction but for the liberal assistance 

 of Mr. James M. Barnard, who has generously advanced the means for 

 this object, with no other prospect than that of aiding the Museum 

 through its infancy, until the time may come when provision may be 

 made for such expenditures. 



Considered as an Educational Institution, the Museum has yielded 

 all that could be expected of it. Since the day of the Inauguration, 

 when it was opened to the public, we have had large numbers of 

 visitors, and I confess I have been surprised to see how large a pro- 

 portion of them are evidently examining the specimens with interest 

 and intelligence, and not vaguely gazing at the cases. I have often 

 wished on this account that it were possible, on certain days at least, 

 to direct the attention of visitors to the most instructive part of the 

 collection, and to give them some guidance and information. The 

 want of a systematic catalogue for this purpose begins to be heavily 

 felt. But what cannot be done for casual visitors is done for the 

 regular students who attend the courses of lectures delivered in the 

 Museum. These lectures are of two kinds, those for the students of 

 the Zoological department of the Scientific School, and those open to 

 the undergraduates of Harvard College and to teachers of the State. 

 It is very gratifying to me to be able to report that the latter class of 

 hearers has been unexpectedly large, an aveitige of 120 teachers of 

 both sexes having been present at the course on Geology just con- 

 cluded. 



The other part of my instruction is given exclusively to the stu- 

 dents of the Scientific School, who devote themselves especially to the 

 study of Natural History. The attendance is of course limited in 

 numbers, fourteen students having been present during the past year. 

 But the usefulness of the establishment is undoubtedly extending 

 in the right direction. As evidence of this, I w r ould only mention the 

 fact that Professors from other Colleges annually attend our courses. 



L. AGASSIZ. 

 Cambridge, 30th January, 1861. 



