Life, Letters and Works of Louis Agassiz

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. 1836-1837. The Wollaston Medal--First Paper Of De Charpentier On The Glacial Theory--Venetz's Observations On Large Boulders Perched On The Sides Of The Alpine Valleys--Dr. Hermann Lebert, The First Disciple And Pupil Of De Charpentier And Venetz--Extract From De Charpentier's First Paper--AgasSiz's Summer Vacation At Bex, Near The House Of De CharPentier--Conversion Of Agassiz To The Glacial Theory; His Creation Of The Ice-age--Karl Schimper Visits Agassiz At Bex And At Neuchatel--Dlscours De Neuchatel July 24, 1837, On The Ice-age. The year 1836 was happily inaugurated by the reception of the Wollaston Medal, awarded to Agassiz by the Geological Society of London, at its annual meeting on February 19. The President, Charles Lyell, a life-long friend of Agassiz, in presenting the medal, said:--On a former occasion we presented the proceeds of the Donation Fund 1 for one year to the same distinguished naturalist, to assist him in the publication of the early part of his great work, the importance of which was then only beginning to be known to the scientific world. It will ever be a subject of gratification to us to have learned that this small pecuniary aid was not without its influence in accelerating the publication of his "Researches on 1 The sum of thirty guineas, or 31, 10s. sterling. Fossil Fish," arriving as it did opportunely at a moment when the funds which could be appropriated for the undertaking were nearly exhausted. Mr. Agassiz acknowledged at the time his obligation to us for a mark of sympathy and regard which he received so unexpectedly from a foreign country, and which cheered and animated him to fresh exertions. The Council, in now awarding the Medal to him, are desirous that he should possess a lasting testimony of their es...