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[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections
[letterhead] No. [written] 18 1 [printed] Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. [written] January 9 [printed] 18 [written] 57 -
Dear Robert
On returning from Phila a few days ago, I found you Mn. and several letters which I now answer very briefly. I returned the mn. today and like it very much. I did not have time to read it over entirely, but I saw enough to satisfy me that it will be entirely acceptable to all parties. I will read it over minutely when you send me the fair clean copy, and any little protuberances I can then smooth over. I do not think it too long, or detailed, and should probably not cut down any of it.
I wrote you that you were to confine yourself this time to the Rodentia and Insectivora reserving the rest of the class till next year. This will
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simplify matters very much.
Your details of species are none too minute. – those about manner of eating, and fighting &c. are just what we want
The old female Mus. michiganensis and one young are alive and well. The 5 young died, but were not eaten
The matter you sent will not require much more of your care. Read it over carefully once more, and correct any thing that strikes you as as inelegant; then have it transcribed. You might perhaps keep it by you until the middle of February, when send it to me.
The squirrel skin you sent is as far as I can judge, the small variety of gray squirrel, S. Carolinensis; but I scarcely believe in a difference of species between this and the Migratorius. Note what Bachman says of the teeth of the two, and test by that.
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[letterhead] No. [written] 18 2. [printed] Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 18
[written] I can have any diptera named for you by Baron Ostensacken, Secretary of Russian Segaten here. The others I cannot promise. The hymenoptera I can send to M. de Saussure in Geneva who will work them out. It would perhaps be as well to deposit your insects with the N. W. University, while you are connected with it.
I can get you of any apparatus you want, at short notice. Jar Bags can be got within a few days.
I think most of the queried paragraphs you send me for criticism are rather fishy.
The little weasel is probably P. agilis.
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Never mind about acknowledging me in the article. I dont need it.
An introduction will be desirable explaining the objects of the article - say it is for farmers, and consequently practical.
Yours in a great hurry S.F. Baird
Robt. Kennicott Chicago