292 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



the whole you shall have all possible credit for your labors, as you will 

 indeed for all the other series. Any species additional to those which 

 you have not sent will be very desirable. 



So far from being disappointed in your vertebrates, I was agree- 

 ably surprised to find so much more than I had looked for. I am well 

 aware of the practical difficulties in the way of getting such things and 

 often wondered at the success with which my friends have met. 

 Fishes, I know, are particularly hard to get. The species you sent are, 

 however, so far as I can ascertain, both new. In the reptiles, I was 

 particularly interested to find several kinds which I had never seen 

 but from localities remote from Alabama, thus adding much to our 

 knowledge of their geography. There is one snake which I am con- 

 fident will prove new. I will hereafter add a detailed list of these, as 

 well as the other vertebrates. The birds are good enough for all 

 scientific purposes, although I have seen better skins. There is not 

 one, however, which could be rejected on account of its execution. 

 The Buzzard was very welcome as I have long wanted one from the 

 south-west. 



The plants constitute almost the first contribution of the kind 

 which we have received from the South. They are, therefore, very 

 acceptable, as constituting so large a proportion of the species. They 

 appear in very good condition, notwithstanding your apologies for 

 their being the contrary. The single series without duplicates answers 

 our purpose very well now, as we are not prepared to make exchanges 

 of plants as yet, and the duplicates would not be needed. As soon as 

 our large Museum rooms are finished, I hope to do better. The 

 truncheons of native woods are very important additions. 



I cannot say as to how far your friend was correct in his remarks 

 in reference to the Jardin des Plantes, and the recognition they make 

 of the efforts of their correspondents, but I am well assured of his 

 error in regard to the practice of this Institution. It at all times 

 affords us the heartiest pleasure to do all in our power to assist the 

 enterprising mind, and every contributor becomes entitled to all the 

 separate works published which bear upon his special labors. As to 

 yourself, you may depend upon receiving all the Natural History 

 memoirs from time to time, as occasion offers to send them. Unfort- 

 unately we do not have the franking privilege for our own publica- 

 tions, and although we manage to have lighter articles franked, yet 

 the Natural History quartos from their size and weight cannot be so 



