CORRESPONDENCE 295 



I am happy to find you still keeping your ornithological eye 

 on the watch for new specimens and am glad that you are so 

 successful in finding new comers. I feel a great interest in this 

 department of natural history, especially as it regards our own 

 State. It is a pity that naturalists have made so many new names 

 for birds long ago appropriately named. It loads the science 

 with synonyms without corresponding benefit. Names are, in 

 one sense, arbitrary and adopted merely to enable us to identify an 

 individual, or individuals by the hearing of it, while that name 

 should be descriptive ; but whether it be or not, when it has been 

 promulgated that should be enough, and not subject to change 

 for light causes. 



I did not get down so far as Calais last summer, but hope to 

 if the Scientific Survey of the State should be continued. I have 

 just finished my preliminary report on the fishes of Maine, as far 

 as investigated this past season. I have made no changes in classi- 

 fication or nomenclature, but have taken my own mode of telling 

 my story with a view of making it as familiar to " the masses," as 

 the politicians sa)', as I could, or at least, as much so as the 

 scientific phrases and technical terms would let me. I will send 

 you a copy when published. I suppose I have about a quarter 

 part, or perhaps half of the fishes which are, or are to be found 

 in our waters, on my list of this year. If we go on, I must come 

 down into your section early to learn what I can of herrings and 

 herring fisheries in Maine and neighborhood, and if I do, will be 

 happy to call upon you. In the mean time T remain, 

 Truly and cordially yours, 



E. Holmes. 



P. S. Any facts, or even " sailors* yarns " and " fish stories" 

 that may come to your knowledge in regard to fish and fishing in 

 Maine, will be interesting and valuable to me if you will send 

 them. 



Letter from Dr. A. L. Heemann to Mr. Boardman 



Philadelphia, May, 18G2. 

 Dear Friend Boardman : 



I received your box three days ago for which I have many 

 thanks to return as there were several new species to my collec- 

 tion. The Kavens were certainly the largest sized ones I ever saw 



