ENPages
page_0001
Fremont. Aug 2. 1855.
Dear Kennicott.
Yours of the 5th ult. came to hand, but the reason I owed you a letter was because you did not. get my last before. I wrote one in June but it must have been miscarried. I hope you enjoy your tours, through the state, and no doubt it will be to your profit. I have found but four or five species of mice.
I did not get your letter in time to write you at Decatur, but do not wait for an invitation before you come here. I will be very glad to see you at any time.
I observed the different sounds, last year while the Cicada were here, and found the female made a clicking noise very different from the male.
page_0002
That circular will be of use to me in collecting soils. I pay some attention to geology, and Henry is East and will get to work upon that science for me. He goes by Cincinnati and to Washington, I gave him a letter of introduction to Prof Baird but had nothing to send by him.
I have two bats stuffed, also a woodchuck. I but a very few insects collected.
I ordered Cuviers, Natural Hist of Animals, (plain) and got his Animal Kingdom - illustrated, mostly by wood cuts. $5.00. There is a fine premium offored for timber, but I have not tried to collecting any yet and am quite busy, and do not know wheather I will try for it or not. I have no Ornithology as yet, but will get Willsons, if that is best.
I do not know wheather I can be at Chicago in the fall or not.
page_0003
We have had plenty of rain lately and the Wheat and Oats are suffering. corn looks fine.
Henry talks of buying a fine farm close to our place. &c.
Yours in haste William. J. Shaw.
Robert. W. Kennicott.