THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 187 



In May the Bairds had a visit from the Rev. Sewall 

 Sylvester Cutting, a professor in the University of Roches- 

 ter, a cousin of Mrs. Churchill and afterward influential 

 in matters connected with explorations of the Northwest 

 in which the Smithsonian was interested. 



In June Baird addressed the following letter to 

 Professor Henry: 



CARLISLE, June 9, 1849. 

 DEAR SIR: 



As the time of our annual vacation is close at hand, I embrace 

 the occasion to write and ask if it will be in accordance with your 

 views for me to make an expedition, partly at the expense of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, for the purpose of collecting specimens 

 for its future museum. Professor Agassiz and I, when in Washington 

 together, arranged a system of explorations, for the sake of more 

 speedily and systematically getting a complete view of the ichthyology 

 of our country. I undertook the streams of Western and Middle 

 Virginia, as also of southern Pennsylvania, but shall be unable to 

 carry out the plan on my own resources. It would not be desirable 

 to confine my attention to fishes exclusively; there is a vast field of 

 exploration in the caves of various places in my intended route, 

 whence treasures of the greatest possible interest to the Paleontolo- 

 gist and Naturalist might be exhumed. Reptiles, also, Mollusca, 

 and Crustacea as also anything else of importance, would have to 

 receive a share of attention. The coal mines of southern Penna. 

 would yield rich series of fossil coal plants. Reptiles, fishes and fossils, 

 would, however, be the principal objects. 



The amount I would like to have advanced, if the expedition is 

 sanctioned, would be from 50 to 75 dollars, the former amount 

 would be sufficient to do very much. Much depends upon the cost 

 of alcohol and vessels. The strictest economy will, of course, be 

 exercised, and a return of expenditures made. 



I have been making vast collections of specimens here this sum- 

 mer, especially illustrating the transformations of reptiles and fishes. 

 I count my specimens of the larvae of the salamanders, frogs, toads, 

 &c., in their different stages, by the quart, and gallon in many cases. 



