1 88 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



I have succeeded in disentangling most of the knots in the natural 

 history of these animals, and can do what I am sure no one else can 

 exhibit full series, and render a complete account of them, as far as 

 they occur in this neighborhood. I have also made a great number 

 of very minute skeletons, by the help of the tadpoles of a certain 

 species of Rana, some of them of most exquisite beauty. I have 

 done this in obedience to my own tendencies, strengthened by the 

 earnest advice of Professor Agassiz, who said that such collections 

 as these would be of unique and inestimable value. 



To the preceding letter the following replies: 



From Joseph Henry to Spencer F. Baird. 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 



June 13, 1849. 

 MY DEAR SIR, 



I hasten to inform you that (you) can draw on me for the amount 

 of 75 dolls, for the object mentioned in your letter of the 9th inst. 



I shall be at the meeting in Boston if nothing unusual happens 

 to prevent my going. 



I am so much engaged in my multifarious duties that it will be 

 impossible for me to accept your polite invitation to Carlisle at the 

 time you mention. 



I am much pleased to learn that you are still so much engaged 

 in your researches and collections. I will see that the accounts for 

 transportation and other expenses are promptly paid as soon as they 

 are sent in. I know you will excuse me for not acknowledging the 

 receipt of your former letter. Besides the general superintendence 

 of the affairs of the Institution the reception and rejection of memoirs, 

 etc., &c., I have undertaken to look into the affairs of the building 

 and to re-model the internal arrangements so as to render them a 

 little better adapted to the wants of the Institution. 



In haste I remain Yours truly 



JOSEPH HENRY. 



In pursuance of this arrangement, after College 

 Commencement, Baird, with two pupils, Kennedy and 



