36 



COLLECTION OF THE LATE H. CASIMIR DE RHAM, JR. 



Extract of a letter from Nathaniel F. Moore, LL. D., to the Secretary. 



" I have taken the liberty to address to you, and have franked by 

 Livingston & Wells' express, a box, containing fossils, mineralogical 

 specimens and shells, for the State Cabinet of Natural History. 



" I did not know to whom these things ought to be consigned, but I 

 felt sure that you would not decline the trouble of placing them in pro- 

 per hands, if I have been mistaken in sending them to you. They be- 

 longed to a much regretted youth, my nephew, H. Casimie. De Rham, jr., 

 who was passionately fond of Ornithology, and though cut off in early 

 life, had collected a fine cabinet of birds. Some of the fossils in this 

 box (which were obtained, I think, at Lyme Regis, and from. Mary An- 

 ning herself,) may be found not unworthy of a place in the State Col- 

 lection, Whether any of the shells (received, I believe, in exchange 

 for birds,) are of value or not, I am wholly unqualified to judge. But 

 whatever value they and the rest of the things may have once possessed, 

 has, no doubt, been much impaired by the loss or transfer of labels, 

 jostling about, and the varions accidents to which they have been ex- 

 posed during the last nine years. 



" My sister, Mrs. De Rham, contemplating now a removal from her 

 present residence, and at a loss in which way suitably to dispose of objects 

 with which in some sort is connected the memory of her son, has thought 

 she could not better show her respect therefor, than by sending them 

 where, if they possess any intrinsic value, they will be rightly cared 

 for. If any thing should be found among them worth inserting in the 

 Annual Catalogue, and it should be thought necessary to give credit to 

 the donor, it will be proper to name as such, H. C. De Rham, Esq." 



