1850 TO 1865 323 



From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 



PHILADELPHIA, I Feby. 1855. 



DEAR PROFESSOR, 



. . . I really do not like the idea of calling any bird after 



, he knew nothing about natural history nor never made any 



exertions in his life at all relating to the matter there is no reason 

 whatever that he should be complimented with the honors of a natu- 

 ralist no more than that you or I should be complimented by military 

 men in a military manner say with the title of colonel; Col. Baird 

 or Major Cassin would look very well, but would not be without 

 some drawback unless fairly earned and ought not to be accepted 

 otherwise, by such just men as you and I, so with the bestowal of 

 a zoological compliment on a mere military man, Col. McCaul and 

 I held a council on this subject and were unanimous in our conclu- 

 sion; as the Col. says was undoubtedly a gallant fellow, an 



excellent officer and man both professionally and socially, but no 

 naturalist whatever, nor ever demonstrated a fondness for nor en- 

 couragement of zoological operations. Don't like to do it, Pro- 

 fessor, you and Leidy are particularly alike in this one respect, 

 very reasonably ungentlemanly generally, but when you get a kink 

 in your heads, it is very hard for to straighten, that's all on this 

 subject. . . . 



I intend to proceed with the owls soon, my 8th no. unfortunately 

 did not get printed Collins' steam boiler busted or something of 

 that sort happened, which he fully explained to me, but I don't 

 pretend to remember the biler busting is near enough for practical 

 purposes and was enough to hinder my printing, at any rate will be 

 ready in a few days. 



What has become of Gillis? Boyne wants a chance at the 

 balance of his plates what is Gov. Stevens' name? You have 

 it printed both I I and J J which is right, proper, convenient or 

 expedient? 



Please commend me to Mrs. B. and Lucy. 



Very truly yours, 



J. CASSIN. 



