290 The American Geologist. May, i890 
peat bogs with instruments of his own devising ; he determined 
their rates of growth and decay and the conditions of moisture 
and temperature that prevailed in tliem. So unintelligible did 
his new interest appear to the simple minded people among 
whom he dwelt, that he was even thought to have gone daft 
and was beginning to be called the "fool of the peat bogs." 
The manuscripts of the competing essays were sent in. Mr. 
Lesquereux's essay was found by far the most exhaustive and 
valuable and the prize was easily awarded to it. This was a 
great triumph and his loyal wife was as happy as he in the re- 
sult. It had mainly been written in the dingy little factory 
where his days were spent ; and most of it, so far as the com- 
position is concerned, while his hands were busy with the 
mechanical work that claimed them. To this report, all of our 
sound and valuable knowledge as to this important subject 
must be followed back. 
One of the happiest results of his new studies was the form- 
ation of a close friendship with the illustrious Agassiz, who 
was now holding the chair of natural history in the Academy 
of Neuchatel. A committee was appointed by the Government 
to test the observations and conclusions that were embodied 
in the prize essay above named, and of this committee profes- 
sor Ao-assiz was a member. He did not at first accept all the 
author's conclusions, but as the commission traveled from 
point to point in the examination, he began to see that Les- 
quereux was master of the facts and of the philosophy, as well, 
and he became an enthusiastic supporter of the author's views. 
It was thus that Leo Lesquereux broke through the trammels 
that seemed to bind him to tasks unworthy of his powers. 
He could henceforth turn his time to better work than drilling 
holes in watch springs. He had become a man of science and 
fortune was growing kind. The government of the canton forth- 
with employed him to write a text book on peat bogs for the 
use of the schools, and paid him five hundred dollars for the 
work. Presently a new public office was created, that of 
director of peat Ijogs, and Mr. Lesquereux was appointed to 
fill it. He wrote also two other treatises upon the same gen- 
eral subject. As his fame extended, new and more responsible 
work was brought to his hands. The king of Prussia com- 
missioned him, moved in part thereto by the ties of friendship 
which Mrs. Lesquereux could plead with queen Augusta, to 
