1850 TO 1865 295 



blots). He has been very kind to me, while here, in furthering my 

 plans and as he wishes to send specimens of fish I will not interfere. 



I have been three times to see Senora Berlandiere's collection, 

 they ask me $1500. I told her of the offer from the Institution but she 

 did not seem to assent to that at all. Some four or five days since, 

 I sent my Mexican servant to her and offered $500 for the collection 

 for myself. She sent her son-in-law to negotiate. I made no arrange- 

 ment with him but said that I would write to the Institution by the 

 first mail. To-day the Senora sent me word that I might have the 

 collection for what I offered. Well, I shall probably take it. The 

 payment will cramp me a little, and delay my departure into the 

 interior. 



If I purchase the collection, I shall expect to send it to Washing- 

 ton at the expense of the Institution; upon my return we can arrange 

 matters. The collection is a labor of 24 years and ranges from the 

 Sabine to California. There are about 150 bottles of diff. sizes, diff. 

 species of vertebrata, mostly snakes, lizards, etc.; a few birds; 

 several cubic feet of minerals; a box of plants; some twelve square 

 feet of insects nicely preserved in glass cases; paintings of all the 

 different Indian tribes in Old Mexico; Sketches of Mex. scenery, 

 meteorological reports, observations, with piles of manuscripts relat- 

 ing to his labors. It's very valuable, probably been abused somewhat. 



I purchase it because it's too valuable to general science to let 

 remain and rot in Matamoras. If you receive the collection, it had 

 better not be exposed to the public gaze. Undoubtedly there are 

 many new species of vertebrata. I shall think twice before taking this 

 and for Berlandiere writing Couch, and though yet the collection will 

 be mine, that gentleman now dead should have the credit for making 

 it. But I will write more fully upon the subject after I have over- 

 hauled it. 



The season for collecting insects is not favorable; too early. As 

 the warm weather approaches, the field will be richer. 



I have hired two trusty servants and hope to secure my mules 

 to-morrow there is not a little to do in completing my necessities. 

 I had hoped, however, to get off on Monday next. 



Hoping to write you shortly, I am 



Very truly, 



D. N. COUCH. 



