LETTER FROM CUVIER. 115 



I look with great interest for your history 

 of the fishes of the Alps. It cannot but fill 

 a wide gap in that portion of natural history, 

 above all, in the different divisions of the 

 genus Salmo. The figures of Bloch, those of 

 Meidinger, and those of Marsigli, are quite 

 insufficient. We have the greater part of the 

 species here, so that it will be easy for me 

 to verify the characters ; but only an artist, 

 working on the spot, with specimens fresh 

 from the water, can secure the colors. You 

 will, no doubt, have much to add also respect- 

 ing the development, habits, and use of all 

 these fishes. Perhaps you would do well to 

 limit yourself at first to a monograph of the 

 Salmones. 



With my thanks for the promised docu- 

 ments, accept the assurance of my warm re- 

 gard and very sincere attachment. 



B. G. CUVIER. 



At last comes the moment, so long antici- 

 pated, when the young naturalist's first book 

 is in the hands of his parents. The news of 

 its reception is given in a short and hurried 

 note. 



