332 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
department. His attention was particularly directed to Geology, 
Botany, and Vegetable Paleontology. For several years he has been 
making a special study of the coal plants of Ohio and Pennsylvania, 
and in this occupies the very front rank. He has also worked with 
great success among the fossil fishes of the coal formation. A year 
ago he was appointed Geologist and Naturalist to the party of Lt. 
Williamson, detailed for the survey of a portion of the mountain 
region of Oregon and California. He is now in this city engaged in 
working up the results of his very successful labors. 
Doctor Newberry’s acquaintance with Chemistry and Physics 
is quite extensive—sufficiently so for all of the requirements of a 
college course. For several years he was the assistant of his brother- 
in-law, Prof. St. John in this very department. 
I have no hesitation whatever in saying that Doctor Newberry 
occupies a position in the very front rank of original investigators 
in Natural Science, and that any institution would be fortunate in 
his aid. While many could or might give a much more thorough 
course in practical instruction in the single line of Chemistry, I know 
of no one more capable of vitalizing the study of the Natural Sciences, 
in showing the intimate and harmonious relations of one branch 
with another, and exhibiting the poetry of true science. 
I may state in conclusion that Doctor Newberry is of very 
polished manners and highly beloved by all who know him. 
Very respectfully yours, 
Spencer F. Barrp. 
Asst. Sec. 8. 1. 
From John H. Clark to Spencer F. Baird. 
Camp on Quapaw, NEs., Oct. 28th 1857. 
Dear Pror. 
I am sorry to have to say that your letter was received too late 
to make an expedition for jackass rabbits. I saw but very few at 
any rate, and only one that looked like the famous common old 
fellow of Texas and New Mexico. 
I have picked you up some few things—no novelties however 
I suspect. I left the box in the train behind, which was breaking 
