Page "Louis Agassiz" Paragraph 3

In 1819 – 1820, Johann Baptist von Spix and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius were engaged in an expedition to Brazil, and on their return to Europe, amongst other collections of natural objects they brought home an important set of the fresh water fish of Brazil, and especially of the Amazon River.

Spix, who died in 1826, did not live long enough to work out the history of these fish, and Agassiz ( though fresh out of school ) was selected by Martius for this purpose.

He at once threw himself into the work with an enthusiasm which characterized him to the end of his busy life.

The task of describing the Brazilian fish was completed and published in 1829.

This was followed by research into the history of the fish found in Lake Neuchâtel.

Enlarging his plans, in 1830 he issued a prospectus of a History of the Freshwater Fish of Central Europe.

It was only in 1839, however, that the first part of this publication appeared, and it was completed in 1842.