CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 59 



tains all the Generic descriptions, for $1.75. All the rest of his works 

 at $1.75 per vol. Constable's Edition of Jardine's Wilson's Ornithol- 

 ogy in 3 duodecimo vols. for $4.00, English Edition. I wish you would 

 send me some money soon, as I can about this time get many inter- 

 esting things in market, Say's duck, Velvet duck, Brant, and many 

 small winter birds. 



There are also several varieties of the Grey cat and Black squir- 

 rels, also the Varying Hare in two or three states of Pelage. They 

 sell their things quite cheap. Red Heads $1.00 a pair, Canvass backs 

 $2.00, Dippers 25c, Scoter 37, Brant 50. varying hares from 25 to 

 31^-4. Squirrels 8, 10 & I2j^ cents and other things in proportion. 

 I would also like to get some of the Principal Fish, and skin them, 

 Flounders, Bass, Black fish &c. &c. &c. 



I had a letter from mother a short time ago, the i8 th mailed the 

 i6 th which stated that she had sent some money to Uncle Penrose 

 to forward to me and which ought to reach me last Friday. If it 

 is in Washington, send it on immediately as I am very much in want 

 of it. I could at any time become a member of the Lyceum here, 

 if I had $10. for the initiation fee. This I shall not be able to spare 

 this winter however. How does the National Institute come on and 

 what is Townsend at. 



Mr. Audubon's work on the Quadrupeds will make its appearance 

 in the first number, next May at Philadelphia. The drawings will 

 be Lithographed and the work will not cost more than half as much 

 as the birds. Being so much at Mr. Audubon's I have an opportunity 

 of seeing a great many North American Quadrupeds. He has made 

 a most beautiful drawing of our Squirrel, it being put in a group with 

 a Gray and a Black variety; Cat Squirrel. It is in the attitude of 

 leaping from one bough of a hickory to another and you expect every 

 minute to see it in the air. Give my love to all. Answer this letter 

 as soon as you finish reading it and believe me, 



Your Affectionate Brother 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



On the 2yth Baird left New York for his Christmas 

 vacation and went to Philadelphia. Here he bade good- 

 bye to Thomas Nuttall the botanist, who was returning 



