194 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST: (VOL XXXII. 
doubt in their favor and his clear perception of the injustice 
of permitting an institution to suffer from the presence of 
such as prove unworthy of confidence. Among the men first 
admitted were three whose ancestry led Agassiz to overlook 
their youth and lack of experience as teachers. Early in the 
session they committed a breach of decorum which some might 
regard as amusing or as exemplifying the infallibility of the 
comfortable doctrine, ‘‘ Boys will be boys.” The next morning 
Agassiz simply announced that three young men had shown 
themselves undeserving and would leave the island before 
noon. What an object lesson in disciplinary methods for 
timid faculties! 
The pupils, of whom, it will be remembered, nearly all were 
themselves teachers of more or less experience, proposed to 
form an “ Agassiz Natural History Club” for mutual benefit. 
The instructors were invited to attend as honorary members. 
At one of the earlier meetings an afternoon was spent in elab- 
orating a constitution, electing officers, etc. Agassiz sat silent 
and apparently motionless, but those nearest him could detect 
signs of increasing impatience, and when invited to address the 
club he spoke substantially as follows : 
Gentlemen, —I had heard that Americans are famous for the 
perfection of their organizations, and of course order must be main- 
tained in every association. But at best officers and by-laws are 
necessary evils. We shall not be many days together; surely part 
of this afternoon might have been better spent in the reading and 
discussion of papers. At any rate, that is what we should have done 
in Switzerland. 
At the close of another meeting of the society Agassiz 
remained seated for some time as if reflecting, and when at 
length he rose and moved away it was with unwonted de- 
liberation. On being questioned he replied, “I sat so long 
because I was not sure that I could walk. At times I realize 
that I am growing old and that I have not always used my 
strength wisely.” Upon another occasion (recorded in my 
diary as August 8), referring to the recent death of a museum 
assistant (Dr. Maack), he said, “ My time will come soon, and 
Iam ready.” Yet before his associates and pupils he main- 
