RK-118

[stamped] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION [written] 1520 [stamped] WASHINGTON D.C.

[handwritten] November 18' 1855

My Dear Robert,

I was much surprised at the action of the company in regard to our parcels, in refusing them unless prepaid, and in killing the snakes. I want you to let me know ^{at once} which company it was that acted refused our parcels unless prepaid, and whether both do: we shall certainly make the whole a subject of offical action. As to the "valueless" nature of the specimens, there may be several opinions about that.

No orders were ever given by this institution as to requiring prepayment on packages; and to the best of my knowledge, no package has ever been refused by us on any ground.

I want also any other evidence you have of ill feeling

on the part of Express Companies at Chicago. I think their agents out west may possibly receive some disagreeable reproofs from their superiors in New York. Name the particular individuals in question, and say nothing about the affair for the present.

I will see that the freight paid by you is refunded. I dont think the amt. paid were, nor as much as the animal is worth.

Your specimens came safely a few days ago, and I have sent the bugs to Dr. LeConte. The collection is very interesting indeed, and I will write more at length hereafter about them. Can you wait for the return of the series of fishes? I will attend to the reptiles very soon, or soon as I can and follow directions as to address

Dr. Andrews is a good fellow: has he left Ann Arbor? permanently?

I continue satisfied thatyou had better not try to graduate in two years. Better not attend all the lectures

[stamped] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION [written] 1520 [stamped] WASHINGTON D.C.

[handwritten] the first year. You had better confine yorself to Chem istry, and Anatomy, and Maleria Medica as lying at the basis of all Medical Science. The three will be enough especially if you dissect as you will should do if your eyes allow it. A thorough knowledge of anatomy will be most important to you in all Natural History investigations hereafter. After all not much knowledge of Anatomy can be had from lectures: it is only by taking the bones or the ^dead subject and grinding at it with the book before you, with your gains of this winter you can take all the lectures next season and easily finish in the third year. Although you could succeed in passing your examination in two years yet if you want to know your subject perfectly, you should spend the above period of time in studying it.

Have you ever seen yourself a badger, or get specimens

would like very much to have a skeleton. As to Lepus americanus. I am still incredulous. You may have Lepus canifestris or the white hare of the Missouri plains, which is gray, not rusty in summer. By all means secure specimen, of this and all other species: You see how much is yet to be learned of our mammals. Why should the Springfield Union Co. collector have found a winter dress, in summer

I wish you would secure me a good old woodchuck or two in skin with the skulls. I believe the Wisconsin species different from ours, and yours is probably similar. Let me have them soon as you can

I hope soon to have the difficulty about the sending packages from Chicago cleared up. In the mean time you must do the best you can: and if

[stamped] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION [written] 1520 [stamped] WASHINGTON D.C.

[handwritten] prepayment is required, [page torn] and they will refund.

The squirrel subject is one of considerablye intricacy. My impression now is that the Jet black species is one, and the one referred to in your last is a black variety of the gray. I hope to clear up this difficulty and all the others this winter. You shall have a complete list. I am not fully satisfied that the ^dry skin of Scalops is the Arjculatus although those of Shaws were.

Cant you get your folks at home to continue saving all the Arvicolae and Mus. they find. I have not yet half enough. I have had over 600 from one locality in Massachusetts and am calling for more!

Very truly yours SF Baird

Robt. Kennicott.