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Arvicolae all summer and
came to no conclusion thereon
for want of specimens. So much
I ascertained, that the large
one with a cinnamon tint to the
belly is A. auslerus; and the
small one with very short tail
is either A. scalopsoides or
A. apella. but many specimens
are necessary to determine the
question. There are two other spe-
cies not identified. So do ham-
mer away at them and collect
both skins - and alcoholics

Your idea of the Nat. Hist.
Society is a good one, but I think
you would be the best man
for the management of the spe-
cimens. - Curator. Let Prof.
Andrews be Secretary. You ought to
be the paid one

Send the Florida shells
when you have a convenient opportu-
nity - no hurry.

The black bellied skin is
probably a variety merely of
the Fox sq. Not a cross with
the black.

Yours ever
S.F. Baird

Robt. Kennicott
Illinois