THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 207 
In a conversation I had with Prof. Henry some time ago, I took 
occasion to blow your trumpet a little, when I told him that you had 
several papers requiring pretty heavy illustration, he requested me 
to tell you that he would publish them in the Smithsonian Trans- 
actions to any reasonable amount. He will give you two hundred 
copies for yourself and publish a single paper without waiting for a 
volume. I have persuaded Dr. Joseph Culbertson of Chambersburg 
to present some of his Merycoidodon fossils to the Academy. Please 
have them presented accordingly. 
On the day this letter was written Baird had been to 
Chambersburg to bid goodbye to Dr. Culbertson, who was 
about to start for the far West. For collections to be 
made by him the Smithsonian had made a small appro- 
priation. 
In March work on the Encyclopedia alternated with 
college work and energetic search for fossil bones in 
caves and elsewhere. A visit to Philadelphia to attend a 
meeting of the trustees of Dickinson College was followed 
by a few days in New York and return to Carlisle in the 
early part of April. 
Baird had suggested to Henry the preparation of 
circulars giving simple instructions for collecting in various 
branches of Natural History and had submitted a draft 
of such a circular to be issued by the Smithsonian. 
From Joseph Henry to Spencer F. Baird. 
Wasuincton April 23, 1850. 
My pear Sir: 
Your letter of the 20th has just been received, and after making 
a slight alteration in your circular, I return it to you with my full 
approbation. I also send you a certificate of appointment as the 
agent for the Smithsonian Institution. 
I have deferred from time to time writing to you with the hope 
of being able to give you some definite information as to our plans 
