204 John Bachman. 



I am pleased with Owen's manner of dissecting, 

 and his anatomical investigations in deciding on 

 closely allied genera. He has, however, given very 

 few of our American quadrupeds. While I do not 

 wish the dissections of others to be copied, we may 

 learn something from them of their manner of dis- 

 secting. Our motto must he : Nature, Truth, and 

 no ITumbug ! 



November 29th. Your letters have been received. 

 About the little mouse I cannot see a needle in a 

 haystack ; or give it a name without knowing what 

 it is. Friend, descriptions cannot be written, as a 

 man works at making Jews-harps so many dozen 

 in a given time. My credit, as well as your father's, 

 is so deeply concerned, that / will not publish a day 

 before 1 am ready. On the whole, I am rather 

 pleased with the work thus far. If I keep my 

 health, the letter-press (1st volume of Quadrupeds) 

 will be finished in the Spring, and we shall not be 

 ashamed of it. But if you hurry and worry why 

 dyspepsia temper, and the old fellow I have 

 drawn for you (Satan), I don't know how to figure 

 his horns and his tail ! My business and profession 

 is to keep him down be careful that you don't 

 wake him up ! * 



I have such confidence in you, that I believe that 

 you will do all that I wish. In doing this, however, 

 you will have your hands full. Mine are so 

 God knows ! Will not my old friend, Audu- 

 bon, wake up, and work as he used to do, when 

 we banged at the Herons and the fresh water 

 Marsh-hens? 



I have a story to tell you about our little mouse. 

 I believe that I am the first man who has carefully 

 compared the American and European mice my 

 notes are full. Tell Jostle to write me a letter, or what 



