188 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
I have succeeded in disentangling most of the knots in the natural 
history of these animals, and can do what I am sure no one else can— 
exhibit full series, and render a complete account of them, as far as 
they occur in this neighborhood. I have also made a great number 
of very minute skeletons, by the help of the tadpoles of a certain 
species of Rana, some of them of most exquisite beauty. I have 
done this in obedience to my own tendencies, strengthened by the 
earnest advice of Professor Agassiz, who said that such collections 
as these would be of unique and inestimable value. 
To the preceding letter the following replies: 
From Joseph Henry to Spencer F. Baird. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
June 13, 1849. 
My DEAR S1R,— 
I hasten to inform you that (you) can draw on me for the amount 
of 75 dolls. for the object mentioned in your letter of the gth inst. 
I shall be at the meeting in Boston if nothing unusual happens 
to prevent my going. 
I am so much engaged in my multifarious duties that it will be 
impossible for me to accept your polite invitation to Carlisle at the 
time you mention. 
I am much pleased to learn that you are still so much engaged 
in your researches and collections. I will see that the accounts for 
transportation and other expenses are promptly paid as soon as they 
are sent in. I know you will excuse me for not acknowledging the 
receipt of your former letter. Besides the general superintendence 
of the affairs of the Institution the reception and rejection of memoirs, 
c., &c., I have undertaken to look into the affairs of the building 
and to re-model the internal arrangements so as to render them a 
little better adapted to the wants of the Institution. 
In haste I remain Yours truly 
JosepH HENRY. 
In pursuance of this arrangement, after College 
Commencement, Baird, with two pupils, Kennerly and 
