1850 TO 1865 285 
a considerable item and if we could have added Mrs. Baird to the 
party, the Tripartite alliance would have been complete. We could 
Shoot and Fish scientifically. Mrs. B. and F. could look to the prep- 
aration of the Mollusks, which are very fine in that Quarter and 
little Lucy and Loyall could run and frolic on the sea beach. 
I am to renew my experiments in March or April, and will be 
there until June and July, firing Guns, &c. I will then make another 
attempt to pick up the lost items; I fear that will be too early and 
unfashionable for you to visit a watering place. Should the Keg not 
reach you, it is certainly at the Navy Yard in Washington, where it 
was directed to be left with the request to be sent up to you. Please 
to make my kind regards to Mrs. B. also to the Gen’l. and his lady, in 
all of which I know Mrs. F. would cordially join me if she were here, 
but I will take upon myself to say that she joins me in wishing you all 
a Happy New Year, and many returns of the Blessing—and please 
extend it to Professor Henry and his family. 
Very truly yours, 
D. G. Farracut. 
In 1853 Mrs. Baird’s ailments continued to increase 
and were a source of great anxiety to her family; the 
Professor was busy with his studies of Batrachia. In 
June he joined Dr. J. P. Kirtland in Cleveland and the 
two naturalists undertook a journey to western Wisconsin 
for collecting purposes. 
At Racine they were received by Dr. P. R. Hoy,” a 
kindred spirit, who has left the following account of their 
doings: 
On the 24th day of June, 1853, Professor S. F. Baird and J. P. 
Kirtland came to Racine, Wisconsin, armed and equipped for col- 
lecting and preserving specimens of Natural History. 
10Philo Romayne Hoy, M.D. Born in Richland Co., Ohio, Nov. 
3, 1816, died at Racine, Wisconsin, Dec. 9, 1892. An enthusiastic 
field naturalist and the first to explore the deeper waters of the upper 
Great Lakes. 
