The American Trip. 



93 



George B. Emerson was one of the acquaintances 

 formed by Agassiz at this time and the following 

 gives his impressions of the latter : 



A little more than twenty-seven years ago, as I 

 was sitting in my study, a message came to me that 

 two gentlemen desired to see me. They were im- 

 mediately admitted, and Dr. Gould introduced me 

 to Louis Agassiz. His noble presence, the genial 

 expression of his face, his beaming eye and earnest, 

 natural voice, at once gained me, and I responded 

 cordially to his introduction. He said, * I have come 

 to see you, because Dr. Gould tells me that you 

 know the trees of Massachusetts ; I wish to be made 

 acquainted with the Carya. I have found the leaves 

 and fruit of several species in the Jura Mountains, 

 where they were deposited when those mountains 

 were formed ; but, since that time, none have been 

 found living in Europe. I want to know them as 

 they are now growing.* I told him that I knew all 

 the species found in New England, and should be 

 glad to show them to him. ' But I have,* I said, 

 * presently to begin my morning's work. If you will 

 let me call upon you immediately after dinner, I 

 shall be glad to take you to them.* 



At the time fixed, I called on him at his lodgings, 

 and took him in my chaise, first to Parker's Hill, 

 where one species of hickory grew, then through 

 Brookline, Brighton, and Cambridge, where two 

 others were found, and to Chelsea, where a fourth, 

 and one that might be a variety, were growing. I 

 pointed out the characteristics of each species in 

 growth, branching, bark, fruit, and leaves, and 



