Minot. J 
368 
[t>ec. t6, 
There is something more than this constant development and 
progress. There is one small record of achievement lastingly 
made. He observed in some of his specimens a most interesting 
point, as to the relations of the development of muscle to the 
primitive cavity of the body, a point which in embryology leads 
us back into speculations of the most interesting and profound 
character as to the muscles and also as to the affinities of verte- 
brate with invertebrate animals. He saw the value of this ob- 
servation, and with great patience and in the face of important 
difficulties he ascertained the exact nature of the connection 
which he had observed, and published a short paper in which this 
valuable observation is recorded. It was characteristic of him, 
that in the first form in which he presented his paper to me 
he had not quite dared to commit himself ; he had become so 
conscious of the difficulties and immensity of the task which he had 
undertaken in mastering the field of embryology that he hesitated 
to bind himself to a positive statement in a field where cer- 
tainty is extremely difficult. I remember telling him, that either 
he must say a thing is so, after having ascertained the fact, or he 
must not say anything at all. Two days later he came to me with 
the paper in the form in which it now stands, an excellent piece 
of scientific writing in every respect. 
I mention this because it illustrates another characteristic 
trait of young Dexter, namely, his readiness to appreciate the 
value of any advice which was given him, and to understand 
it and apply it practically. This he showed so constantly with 
me, that I think I never have had any student who developed 
more rapidly than he did. There was but one year for him 
to develop in, but in that time he became to me more than a 
pupil, and recognizing in the same way in which Professor Shaler 
and Professor Goodale did, the character of the man, with all it 
attractive qualities, its rich endowment, I felt that he had be- 
come more than a mere pupil, that he was a friend of mine. 
I believe, partly from ray experience with him, that we 
teachers often get more from our pupils than we realize, and 
that there is an elevating influence which comes from them to 
us, through young men of superior character and ability ; and I 
certainly, Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen, shall treasure 
it in my heart all my life as a privilege to have been for a year 
the teacher of Mr. Dexter. I shall value always the recollection 
