98 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 



~ PHILADELPHIA July 5, 1843. 



DEAR BAIRD, 



Dished! Last evening being the 4th July, the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia did not muster a quorum, the 

 honorable members, as it would appear, patriotic as well as scientific, 

 were probably helping to celebrate the anniversary of the Nation's 

 birthday in a manner seeming to them right and proper, which was 

 pretty enough in them and to which, of course, I have not the slightest 

 objection, excepting that I had not the pleasure of reading to them 

 your paper. I had talked the matter over with Doctor Zantzinger, 

 Secretary, and could probably have got it published in the number 

 of the Proceedings which is now partly printed, but now it will be 

 another week before the paper can be read, and then another before 

 reported on, so that I fear the number now forthcoming must be 

 published without it. But if we can make out sufficient material, 

 another Number can be published 1st August, which I shall try to 

 bring about if possible, and I think it can be done. 



Immediately upon receipt of your last, I sent my box as you 

 directed, and also called at Ashmead's, but they had received nothing 

 for you. I did not open my box or I should have marked the species 

 of Tyrannula with the names I have been accustomed to call them, 

 mostly, however, doubtingly; and should also have put in the speci- 

 men of S. Chrysoptera but this I will send you another time. I 

 have rather carefully examined my Vireos, and am of opinion that 

 the species in the box is the real V ' . gilvus. What do you think of it? 

 . . The Brazilian expedition progresses. They will sail from 

 Norfolk in the course of a month. Midshipman Strain, who is the 

 commander and head of the expedition, goes to Norfolk in a week 

 or ten days to make the requisite arrangements. No naturalist is 

 yet engaged positively, though one is now coming to the point, and 

 another person is thought of. ... 



From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 



DEAR WILL, CARLISLE, July 7 1843. 



Although I wrote but yesterday to you yet I cannot but write 

 again to say how glad I am that you have concluded to go to Cape 

 May for a while both for your own sake, and that of the Birds, and 



