THE SP1X FISHES. 79 



catch bream, chubs, etc. I did get a few, but 

 they were not worth sending. Now it is all 

 over for this year, and we may as well put on 

 mourning for them ; but I promise you that 

 as soon as the spring opens I will go to work, 

 and you shall have all you want. If, in spite 

 of everything, your hopes are not realized, I 

 shall be very sorry, but rest assured that it is 

 not my fault. . . . 



TO HIS SISTER CECILE. 



MUNICH, October 29, 1828. 



... I have never written you about what 

 has engrossed me so deeply ; but since my 

 secret is out, I ought not to keep silence 

 longer. That you may understand why I 

 have entered upon such a work I will go back 

 to its origin. In 1817 the King of Bavaria 

 sent two naturalists, M. Martins and M. Spix, 

 on an exploring expedition to Brazil. Of 

 M. Martins, with whom I always spend my 

 Wednesday evenings, I have often spoken to 

 you. In 1821 these gentlemen returned to 

 their country laden with new discoveries, which 

 they published in succession. M. Martins is- 

 sued colored illustrations of all the unknown 

 plants he had collected on his journey, while 

 M. Spix brought out several folio volumes 



