RK-056

Tiemont March 8th 1855

Dear Friend Yours of Jan 20th came to hand in due time and ^I must thank you for your trouble of altering that description I sent you, and without excusing myself in the least, will tell you I highly approved the alterations, and sent the same to Mr. Wight, As to Insect pins, I must be mistaken, for those are steel. I think which my uncle will send, yet there is a Dr [illegible], here, who has obtained them in Philadelphia some few years since. No doubt Prof Baird can obtain them for you. I have stuffed a number of Birds, and did it according to directions I read last summer. Wiring into a block of suitable size (after skinning) and using enough cotton for forming & sizing. I have Prof Baird's Directions, but I shall not follow them any farther than suits me. He requested me, not to set up my speimens for him "as they are in these museums". I have fix several for him but can't conceive what he will do with the specimens in that state. I have a theory, which I suggested to your Father at Springfield, regarding the spreading of the Coccus, perus-malus, it was "as follows", I believe that they were waftede away from their birth place by this gossamer which is constantly catching and breaking losse from one tree to another, and to corroborate, this fact, I have since found this, said of the, Coccus,-cacti, or cochineal-insect. "The young are so delicate, that it would be impossible for them to[inserted above] travel from one plant to another, if nature did not provide, for them admirable means,

of emigration; at the period of their birth a multitude of spiders fasten their nests (webs) to the leaves of the plant and it is along these slender threads which answer the purpose of a bridge, that the brood of the cochineal insect, emigrates to a neighboring tree in quest of food." I am confined in the house this week, but the rest have been and are ^now digging ^trees. The flock of wild pigeons that flew over this morning was the largest I ever saw. I have just stuffed a pair with blocks and - wires. We can see Duck and Geese all in a flutter passing over all times of day, but in no particular direction. I have commenced writing a full account of my Insects, when, and where I caught, them, and this I can do very correctly as I kept a Journal all the time. Prof Baird requires such information you know of such as send him specimens. Excuse long delay and remember Your friend, William J Shaw. Robbert W. Kennicott.