3

I shall look with much interest for [torn]
new collection of things which you announce.
Send them as soon as you have got all
the specimens for the season. Try and secure
a good many minnows, & shiners, if which
several quarts may be sent without disadvan-
tage. Among those sent already by you
were several species of only one specimen each.
The most interesting was a species shaped some-
what thus, with the fin on the back placed
far back, [fish drawing] and with scales
right on top of the head, as
well as small teeth in the jaws. There are [illegible]
various kinds of this group with you.
I am glad you have another of the
snakes. The new one is that, with very
rough scales, and a row of round dark
spots on each side of the belly plates,
and about four rows on the back & sides.
I would be very glad indeed to
have the small quadrupeds in alcohol.
Collect all species, common or rare: field
mice, moles, rats, gophers, weasels: squir-
rels, minks &c. Cannot you try to skin
some of these dry well and preserve dry with
arsenic? In the pamphlet you will find
full directions. You should also practise
skinning birds, some kinds of which I
would like to have, as several species of ducks &
geese.
I wish very much, that next spring
when the birds begin to nest, you would
collect their eggs, as extensively as possible.
Dr. Brewer of Boston will commence very
shortly the publication of a great work on
the eggs of American birds, for which he wishes
fresh and authentic material.
In the spring, when the fish