i6 



Louis Agassiz. 



owning a copy ? yet Agassiz did this on many occa- 

 sions. As an example of his indefatigable industry, 

 he copied two volumes of Lamarck's Animaux 

 sans Vertebres, Auguste copying almost as much 

 more for him. 



While ostensibly devoting himself to the study of 

 medicine, Agassiz undoubtedly paid most attention 

 to the sciences of anatomy and zoology. He passed 

 much time in the company of Professors Schinz and 

 Hirzel, accompanying them in their trips and spend- 

 ing happy days in the intercourse of nature, rendered 

 so much more delightful by the association of con- 

 genial spirits. 



The room of the two boys, who lived in a private 

 family, was a perfect museum : the corners and shelves 

 heaped with shells, stuffed fishes, plants and speci- 

 mens of all kinds, while from window and door-top 

 came the notes of various feathered songsters that 

 here made their home. Agassiz had over fifty birds 

 alive in his room at one time, living examples for 

 study, and from which he turned to the collection of 

 mounted birds owned by Professor Schinz. Each 

 species he carefully described, this being in his esti- 

 mation a necessity, as he did not have the means 

 to purchase even the most inexpensive treatise 

 on birds. 



When not engaged in study the brothers took to 

 the field and forest. Every stream and lake was 

 familiar to them, while every secret nook and corner 

 famous for its fish was known. 



They knew almost to a day when the birds re- 



