328 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 
PHILADELPHIA, 19 Nov. 1855. 
Dear Pror. 
J have not heard from Seaman since I was at Washington—he 
then told me that he would come to see me on the next Monday— 
which was this day a week ago—but he did not come;—on the books 
of the Girard House, I find that he arrived on one Friday—probably 
going north—and was there again last Wednesday—I should very 
much like to know about those Japan plates. 
Dr. Suckley is now here—a regular brick—he is;—he was in 
somewhat of a hurry when he arrived last Friday and was going 
immediately to Washington but his hurry has sensibly abated—Leidy, 
LeConte, Hanson, and other sympathetic spirits seem to be too 
attractive—to say nothing of the Academy Lib. Col.—Last Saturday 
he went with Leidy and Hallowell on a frog and snake catching 
expedition—whereby hangs a tail—these young gentlemen have 
lately made an important addition to their circle of aquaintance 
in the person of a professional frog-catcher—i.e. one who catches 
frogs for the market and for eating houses.—Well, the way that 
this individual turns out the frogs and snakes is a caution—last 
Saturday he was not so successful as usual but still caught various 
lots—but, on the Saturday before, it was astonishing; Hallowell 
brought home about 60 snakes—various terrapins and frogs—amongst 
the latter about 50 specimens of a little frog which I think they call 
Acris crepitans, Baird. 
This man operates simply by feeling for these animals with a 
stick and then catching them in his hand,—rolls up his sleeves and 
feels down in the mud. 
I shall send by Dr. Suckley—who proposes to come to Washington 
on Wednesday, the quadrupeds that you want: I sent Lewis’s book 
to Dr. Hale by mail. 
Ever yours, 
J. Cassin. 
P. S. I have taken another look at the Japan birds—expecting 
rather, to have got to work at them—there are about 1oor 12 that I do 
not remember ever having seen before—I have no doubt that I could 
get up § to Io plates that will be of interest and altogether proper. 
