RK-064

April 30, 1855 [Stamp] Smithsonian Institution Washington D.C. My Dear Robert I wrote this morning to your father and I now add a few lines to yourself. The idea mentioned by him, and I know no way more likely to effect the object than to send you out and teach the people See that they collect the quadrupeds every where: squirrels, rats and all I will send you a trunk with a can or two in it, and some other items, and hope they will be useful. Anything you want my opinion on must be here by the first of July as I may be gone any time after that. If I leave I expect to return about the first of October. If my wifes feeble health would allow I would like very much indeed to take a run to Chicago and help you on

your preparations, although I cant trust myself to hope to do it. As to the snakes, I am well aware that species and varieties now known to me, are not found in the "serpent catalogue". That was prepared two and a half years ago, when our materials were comparatively scanty. Of the striped snakes, specimens with the stripe on 2' & 3' rows are certainly and absolutely different from those having it on the 3" & 4'. This latter with you is probably Eutaenia radix, the specimen on which this species was based having been unusually dark. Your best plan will be to send the numbered specimens as proposed. Very truly yours S.F. Baird Robt. Kennicott West Northfield Ill