292 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
the whole you shall have all possible credit for your labors, as you will 
indeed for all the other series. Any species additional to those which 
you have not sent will be very desirable. 
So far from being disappointed in your vertebrates, I was agree- 
ably surprised to find so much more than I had looked for. I am well 
aware of the practical difficulties in the way of getting such things and 
often wondered at the success with which my friends have met. 
Fishes, I know, are particularly hard to get. The species you sent are, 
however, so far as I can ascertain, both new. In the reptiles, I was 
particularly interested to find several kinds which I had never seen 
but from localities remote from Alabama, thus adding much to our 
knowledge of their geography. There is one snake which I am con- 
fident will prove new. I will hereafter add a detailed list of these, as 
well as the other vertebrates. The birds are good enough for all 
scientific purposes, although I have seen better skins. There is not 
one, however, which could be rejected on account of its execution. 
The Buzzard was very welcome as I have long wanted one from the 
south-west. 
The plants constitute almost the first contribution of the kind 
which we have received from the South. They are,—therefore, very 
acceptable, as constituting so large a proportion of the species. They 
appear in very good condition, notwithstanding your apologies for 
their being the contrary. The single series without duplicates answers 
our purpose very well now, as we are not prepared to make exchanges 
of plants as yet, and the duplicates would not be needed. As soon as 
our large Museum rooms are finished, I hope to do better. The 
truncheons of native woods are very important additions. 
I cannot say as to how far your friend was correct in his remarks 
in reference to the Jardin des Plantes, and the recognition they make 
of the efforts of their correspondents, but I am well assured of his 
error in regard to the practice of this Institution. It at all times 
affords us the heartiest pleasure to do all in our power to assist the 
enterprising mind, and every contributor becomes entitled to all the 
separate works published which bear upon his special labors. As to 
yourself, you may depend upon receiving all the Natural History 
memoirs from time to time, as occasion offers to send them. Unfort- 
unately we do not have the franking privilege for our own publica- 
tions, and although we manage to have lighter articles franked, yet 
the Natural History quartos from their size and weight cannot be so 
