60 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



Science, where, notwithstanding its unattractive aspect, 

 Mr. Agassiz receives many visitors, curious to see the 

 actual working process of a laboratory of Natural History, 

 and full of interest in the expedition. Here also pour in 

 specimens from all quarters and of every kind ; voluntary 

 contributions, which daily swell the collections.* Those of 

 the party who are not engaged here have their work else- 

 where. Mr. Hartt and Mr. St. John are at various stations 

 along the railroad line, making geological sections of the 

 road ; several of the volunteers are collecting in the 

 country, and Mr. Hunnewell is studying at a photograph- 

 ic establishment, fitting himself to assist Mr. Agassiz in 

 this way when we are beyond the reach of professional 

 artists. 



Our excursion of to-day took us to another of those 

 exquisite drives in the neighborhood of the city, always 

 along the harbor or some inlet of it, always in sight of 

 the mountains, always bordered by pretty country houses 

 and gardens. The Botanical Garden is about eight miles 

 from the centre of the town. It is beautiful, because the 

 situation is admirably well chosen, and because anything 



* Among the frequent visitors at the laboratory, and one to whom Mr. 

 Agassiz was indebted for most efficient aid in making his collection of fishes 

 from the harbor of Rio, was our friend Dr. Pacheco de Silva, who never lost 

 an opportunity of paying us all sorts, of friendly attentions. He added quite 

 a number of luxuries to the working-room described above. Another friend 

 who was often at the laboratory was Dr. Nageli. Notwithstanding his large 

 practice, he found time to assist Mr. Agassiz not only with collections but 

 with drawings of various specimens. Being himself an able naturalist, his 

 co-operation was very valuable. The collections were indeed enriched by 

 contributions from so many sources that it would be impossible to enumerate 

 them all here. In the more technical reports of the expedition all such gifts 

 are recorded, with the names of those persons from whom the specimens 

 were received. 



