The Little Academy. 



29 



usually spent in the library poring over the works 

 which related to the studies of his choice. From 

 eleven until one the university lectures were at- 

 tended, after which with Braun or Schimper he 

 dined at some restaurant. From two until five came 

 other lectures, varying with the day ; then the 

 friends went for a long walk, renewing their studies 

 upon their return and dining at nine o'clock at some 

 caf6 as was the custom of the students. This was 

 the daily life of Agassiz, varied only by the meetings 

 of The Little Academy and occasional excursions 

 into the country. 



It was at one of the meetings of The Little 

 Academy,'* that Agassiz determined if possible to go 

 to Brazil some day, — a dream eventually fulfilled. 



The desire was created by Martins, who gave an 

 interesting discourse upon his famous journey to 

 that country and the large collection he made. 



Agassiz was ever on the alert for new discoveries 

 and while at college added not a little to general 

 zoological knowledge. Friday was then as now " fish 

 day," and the markets were well supplied with rep- 

 resentatives of the finny tribe that offered a special 

 inducement to the members of The Little 

 Academy,'' and the specimens were well and carefully 

 examined on those days, often to the amazement of 

 the dealers, who wondered what these young men 

 saw in a common fish to talk so much about, to draw, 

 and count its fins and even scales. Agassiz fre- 

 quently found rare specimens among the fish, and 

 once an entirely new species to repay his ardor. 



The room of The Little Academy " almost daily 



