In his biographical memoir, read before the National Academy, 

 Arnold Guyot, the life-long friend of Agassiz, said: "Permit me 

 here to allude to one of the providential circumstances of Agassiz's 

 life, which enabled him to perform so large an amount of work, and 

 to do it cheerfully as well as efficiently. I mean his marriage, in 

 1849, with a distinguished daughter of his adopted country, whom 

 we all know without naming her, and all admire and respect. In 

 this constant and devoted companion of his American life he found 

 a wise and affectionate mother for his children. Her sound and firm 

 judgment, her well-balanced mind, gave him much needed help and 

 encouragement in the midst of sometimes complicated circumstances. 

 Her literary talents, to which we owe the interesting record of his 

 Brazilian journey, the picturesque account of the Florida reefs, and 

 perhaps the final appearance of more than one of his late works, are 

 acknowledged by all. Her deep and absolute devotion, her soothing 

 influence, secured for him the peace of mind and heart so necessary 

 for an undisturbed mental activity. To her also science owes a 

 tribute of gratitude." 



iv 



