288 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



ing up the zoology of this state than I would. The reason I have done 

 more with plants than any other department was because they did 

 not demand any great drafts upon my time at once as half a day or 

 an entire day or more which would be required to ichtkyologize. 



My birds I am aware are sufficiently defective and perhaps I 

 ought to have thrown out some of the poorest specimens. But they 

 may suffice for some purposes. I had as unpleasant a job as could be 

 desired in skinning the Buzzard sent, and I sincerely promised myself 

 at the time not to repeat the job for any consideration. You have 

 among these birds every one I have skinned. 



As to insects, I am sorry to inform you that I had about two 

 hundred different species preserved as well as I could preserve them 

 with my poor facilities, and, all of a sudden, the ants the omnivorous 

 and omnipresent ants, found them and swallowed the entirety. I 

 send you some specimens since collected. This is certainly an insect- 

 fostering country. I have no doubt I could collect many species now 

 unknown to science. 



In regard to the collection of Plants sent to the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution I wish to add some observations to you personally. In the first 

 place I have not packed more than a quarter of the specimens I have 

 in hand, for the reason that you told me to send only one sample of 

 each species unless rare. I had thought you would like a large number 

 of duplicates to exchange and I accordingly collected them. The 

 balance of my collections, therefore, are at your disposal if you think 

 them worth anything. 



In regard to the manner in which I have done the business of pre- 

 serving, &c., I am too painfully sensible of all the imperfections not to 

 beg you to judge leniently, and in view of all the difficulties I have had 

 to encounter. For you must remember that all my attention to 

 Natural Science is only collateral, and by piece-meal, as I can find 

 time. The duties of my school have demanded a greater share of my 

 attention than one can well imagine who has not had charge of a 

 female seminary in the South. And then, of the time which I could 

 devote to Nat. Science, not the whole could be given to the collection 

 of specimens. And moreover after the specimens were collected, many 

 circumstances were liable to interpose to prevent their suitable preser- 

 vation. Perhaps it was not possible for me immediately to put them 

 to press perhaps after in press, I could not attend to changing the 

 papers as often as I ought perhaps I received them from persons in a 



