RK-063

April 24' 1855 [Stamp] Smithsonian Institution Washington D.C. My Dear Robert Our artist Mr. Richard goes to France early in May and I would like very much to send some living reptiles by him to the garden of Plants in Paris. I wish therefore you would gather together as large a lot of live turtles of any and every kind as you can. Common or rare (including especially Blandings however, and send them on at once by express. Send a bushel if you like. Also any snakes, & Hyla triseriata you can get. They should however be sent off within two or three days of receiving this. If, as is probable you wont have time to get more than what you have, send what you can spare of the present stock. Truly yours S.F. Baird

Robt. Kennicott Ill I wrote yesterday enclosing 5.00 [written in left margin sideways: Could you send a few salamanders especially the S. lurida. (big fellows)]