RK-131

Springfield, Febry 6th 1856.

Friend Kennicott,

On my return from New Harmony, a few days ago, I found your letter, and got the box of snails and a copy of the Report from Mr. L. Francis. Your apology about the Lake shells is quite acceptable, as it is of the greatest importance, that Illinois river and Lake shells should not be confounded. I have not as yet put up my collection, and therefore after the determination of the Gasteropods you sent me, for a short time. N^o 2 is an Amnicola, probably A porata, I never saw it in Southern Illinois. Don't varnish you[page torn] H. monodon, because it destroys the beautiful fur, with which the epidermis is covered in perfect specimens. Your N^o11 is quite a new acquisition in the West and indeed [page stain]ll America - it is a European species, H. hortensis, and has probably been imported in t[page torn] roots of fruit trees or by some similar conveyance. Keep a sharp look-out for them, and let me know, whether there are many of them. Prof. Gould of Massachusetts has found the same species in the East, where it is beginning to propagate. N^o 13 is unknown to me, I should call it an H. tridentata, if it were not for its open umbilicus.

As soon as I shall have arranged my specimens, I shall send you the names of your snails as far as I can make them out. Meanwhile let me hear from you. My respects to your uncle I. A. Kennicott. Yours etc. H. A. Ulffers.