THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 161 



of your valued friends have proposed you should apply for, namely 

 that of the Curator of the Smithsonian Institute. 



I am quite convinced myself that no one can easily be found 

 so well adapted for such a trust as yourself and if my testimony as 

 to your knowledge and high character and industry, and your zeal 

 in seeking a perfect acquaintance with the various branches of Natural 

 History, and all the scientific and literary pursuits which have 

 heretofore occupied you, may be of any service, please present this 

 note to the Honorable Board of Regents, who will I trust receive 

 it as an evidence of my ardent desire for your success, the more 

 readily as I have the honor, I think, of knowing some of the Board 

 personally. 



I thank you for your note respecting the difference between the 

 young of the cougar (Felix Concolor} in North and South America. 

 There are not improbably two species, I have had that idea, but my 

 researches are not yet completed. 



With the best wishes for your success, Believe me, 



Your sincerely attached friend and humble servant, 



JOHN J. AUDUBON, F. R. S. L. 



Copy of letter from Doctor S. G. Morton to the Regents of the Smithsonian 



Institute. 



GENTLEMEN: 



Understanding that you propose to elect a Curator of the Smith- 

 sonian Institute, I beg leave to commend to your favorable considera- 

 tion Mr. Spencer F. Baird, a gentleman who has devoted his life to 

 the active pursuit of Natural History and who is well versed in the 

 Philosophy of Science. He occupies an enviable position in the higher 

 branches of Zoology, while his attainments in all of them and in 

 general Geology, give him a peculiar fitness for the Curatorship of 

 your projected collection. 



I remain, Gentlemen, with great respect, 



Your obdt. servant, 



SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON M.D. 



PHILA. Feb. 13, 1847. 

 ii 



