Annual report of the trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy, at Harvard College, in Cambridge : together with the report of the director, 1865.

  • Museum of Comparative Zoology
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy, at Harvard College, in Cambridge : together with the report of the director, 1865. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    The first number of the illustated catalogue of the Museum, printed from the funds given for the purpose by the Common- wealth, has been issued. For the letter press of this volume the Museum is indebted to Mr. Theodore Lyman. The operations of the Museum, under the charge of Mr. Alexander Agassiz, during the absence of the Director, have been conducted to the entire satisfaction of the Trustees; and his report, which is annexed, marked [ A, ] gives a statement in detail of its history for the year ending October 1st, 1865. In regard to the second division, the expedition to Brazil, we shall receive full accounts, illustrated by his own enthusiasm, from Professor Agassiz, on his return, which is looked for in the coming summer. The Trustees however, think that it will be interesting to the legislature of the Commonwealth, which is so watchful of everything which promotes and develops the advancement of learning, and the progress of science, to receive some account of the expedition. For the large results which are promised, the community will recognize its obligations to the munificence of Mr. Nathaniel Thayer. Before the departure of Professor Agassiz the Secretary of the Navy instructed our national vessels to take charge of and bring home, on their return, any collections committed to them ^ as fruits of the expedition. The party embarked at New York on board the Colorado, on the second day of April last for Rio de Janeiro. It consisted of sixteen persons, eight of whom were trained naturalists. A free passage to Rio was given by the Pacific Mail Steam-ship Company to the whole party. The Colorado was furnished by the owners with a large aquarium on deck, and all other appliances requisite for scientific investigations on the voyage. On the twenty-second day of April the Colorado entered the bay of Rio, and Professor Agassiz, who had previously enjoyed a correspondence with the Emperor of Brazil, was received by him in the kindest manner. His majesty has continued to show great interest, and furnish great aid in every way. Free transportation has been provided by the railroads and other conveyances; and the facilities of communication by coaches, travelling at the rate of ten miles an hour, and rail cars at a speed of twenty to thirty miles an hour, are in striking contrast