LETTER FROM VON SIEBOLD. 683 



intrusted to him ; and Wagner, who later re- 

 lieved him of its management, cared chiefly 

 for the mammals. I have now, however, 

 given particular attention to the preservation 

 of everything determined by you, so far as it 

 could be found, and am truly glad that this 

 material is again to be called into the service 

 of science. Of course I had to ask permis- 

 sion of the " General Conservatorium of Sci- 

 entific Collections " before sending this prop- 

 erty of the state on so long a journey. At 

 my urgent request this permission was very 

 cordially granted by Herr von Liebig, espe- 

 cially as our collection is likely to be in- 

 creased by the new forms you offer us. 



As to the fresh-water fishes I must beg for 

 a little time. At the fish market, in April or 

 May, I can find those Cyprinoids, the males 

 of which bear at the spawning season that 

 characteristic eruption of the skin, which has 

 so often and so incorrectly led to the making 

 of new species. . . . 



From your son Alexander I receive one 

 beautiful work after another. Give him my 

 best thanks for these admirable gifts, which I 

 enter with sincere pleasure in my catalogue of 

 books. You are indeed happy to have such a 

 co-worker at your side. At the next oppor- 



