THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 187 
In May the Bairds had a visit from the Rev. Sewall 
Sylvester Cutting, a professor in the University of Roches- 
ter, a cousin of Mrs. Churchill and afterward influential 
in matters connected with explorations of the Northwest 
in which the Smithsonian was interested. 
In June Baird addressed the following letter to 
Professor Henry: 
CaRLISLE, June 9, 1849. 
Dear Sir:— 
As the time of our annual vacation is close at hand, I embrace 
the occasion to write and ask if it will be in accordance with your 
views for me to make an expedition, partly at the expense of the 
Smithsonian Institution, for the purpose of collecting specimens 
for its future museum. Professor Agassiz and I, when in Washington 
together, arranged a system of explorations, for the sake of more 
speedily and systematically getting a complete view of the ichthyology 
of our country. I undertook the streams of Western and Middle 
Virginia, as also of southern Pennsylvania, but shall be unable to 
carry out the plan on my own resources. It would not be desirable 
to confine my attention to fishes exclusively; there is a vast field of 
exploration in the caves of various places in my intended route, 
whence treasures of the greatest possible interest to the Paleontolo- 
gist and Naturalist might be exhumed. Reptiles, also, Mollusca, 
and Crustacea as also anything else of importance, would have to 
receive a share of attention. The coal mines of southern Penna. 
would yield rich series of fossil coal plants. Reptiles, fishes and fossils, 
would, however, be the principal objects. 
The amount I would like to have advanced, if the expedition is 
sanctioned, would be from 50 to 75 dollars, the former amount 
would be sufficient to do very much. Much depends upon the cost 
of alcohol and vessels. The strictest economy will, of course, be 
exercised, and a return of expenditures made. 
I have been making vast collections of specimens here this sum- 
mer, especially illustrating the transformations of reptiles and fishes. 
I count my specimens of the larvae of the salamanders, frogs, toads, 
&c., in their different stages, by the quart, and gallon in many cases. 
