62 NOTES. 
torn, so as to be unrecognizable. Whether a blade can be made 
to cut any thinner than that has not been tried; but it may be re- 
marked that the first razor blade used gave out at s}55 inch thick, 
and would not take an edge capable of cutting finer than that.” 
NOTES. 
AFTER twenty-seven years of unremitting toil for the advance- 
ment, the exaltation and free spread of science in this country, 
the land of his adoption, Louis Agassiz died, in the ripeness of his 
years, Dec. 14, aged sixty-six. It is not the time now to estimate 
Professor Agassiz’s scientific attainments and compare him with 
his contemporaries, but to mourn the loss of one whose profound 
learning and genius for original research ; whose organizing abili- 
ties, courageous adherence to the dictates of his conscience when 
matters of scientific faith were at stake; whose persuasive elo- 
quence, rare personal magnetism, conspicuous enthusiasm, and 
untiring industry which, though it shortened his life, intensified its 
value, made him one of the remarkable men of the century. 
A student and friend of Humboldt and Cuvier, and enjoying the 
instructions of Oken, Tiedemann and others, he certainly had won- 
derful advantages, and by his native genius and sturdy industry 
made the most of them, his reputation being more than European 
before he was thirty years of age. At the age of thirty-nine he 
came to this country, travelled extensively, and extended his gla- 
cial theory to include both hemispheres. Here he began to build 
up the Museum of Comparative Zoology, his singleness of purposes 
rare personal qualities and disinterested zeal, winning him friends 
and means for carrying on that vast establishment. Meanwhile he 
travelled and lectured over the country ; everywhere by his native 
unaffected eloquence winning men to a just appreciation of the 
objects and needs of science, and elevating and dignifying the 
pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. He was an admirable 
teacher, and introduced new methods of studying zoology. He 
gathered 
based on the spirit of Cuvier, who moulded Agassiz himself in his. 
student days. 
him a number of young men, some of whom were — 
associated with him in the preparation of the material for his great 4 
work, “Contributions to the Natural History of the United — 
States ;” and so powerful was his influence over his students that — 
he may be said to have founded a school in natural history, — 
Ea Se iad he han ode te ee ee SNES 
Ab Ae 
Te aS. eure, Seek Fi Pry haf 
PR Se eae od a 
Speke 
