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[stamped] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION [written] 1649 [stamped] WASHINGTON D.C.
[handwritten] December 22, 1855
My Dear Robert
I feared from your long silence that you were sick, and was sorry to learn of your renewed attack of fever. Take good care of yourself, and never mind much if you cant attend a full course this winter. Perhaps you had better give up dissecting this season, and instead, study the bones thouroughly. This will be less exhausting, and yet will be a very important step. You can learn the muscles pretty well in connection with their attachments to the bones.
If you have not yet sent receipt for the $50.00 to Prof. Henry, do so soon as possible, as its absence will the making up of the years accounts.
We did not mean the amt. paid - by you for
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freights, to go in as part of the $50.00. This amounting to 10.00 + 3.50 = 13.50. We will send you next month. I expect also to refund what you paid for Marmot, Mink, Squirrels &.. So be at ease on that score.
What do you want me to send Dr. Holbrook? and how many specimens. Let me know what species you have already sent, as I dont want to duplicate. I must of course send you the fullest series I can make up, for yourself. By the way do you want back any specimens of the Regina grahamii, & kirtlandii, or have you enough some.
Did I tell you that the fossil bone was a dorsal vertebra of an ox, perhaps a fossil species, else, a buffalo: the fossil oxen as well as the buffalo are characterized by the very long spinous process of the back.
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[stamped] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION [written] 1649 [stamped] WASHINGTON D.C.
[handwritten] I would willingly give several dollars for the white rabbit of S. Illinois and if you think best to advance this for Mr. M'Connel, for rabbits, squirrels, &c, please do so for us. I want a full series of good specimens of all the varieties of Squirrels, for different parts of Illinois.
The mink is perhaps the Putorius negrescons. Take good care of it. The woodchuck skin I would like very much when next you have occasion to send. In skinning squirrels, &c preserve carefully the skulls.
By the way, I dont believe that Scalops argentatus is found in S. Illinois at least the specimen you sent is the S. aquaticus. Shaws specimen were of the first mentioned species as are probably any in your neighborhood.
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I see the Transactions of the Ag. Soc. are out. I hope your father will send me a copy. Did you have any extras of your Catalogues.
Very truly Yours SF Baird
Robt. Kennicott Chicago Ill