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Philadelphia June 23rd 1856.
Dear Sir,
A copy of the Constitution of the Acad. Nat. Sc. has been despatched this very day to Prof. Davis. A friend who was absent at the first time I wrote, has returned & fortunately had one.
The bug was Pterostichus stygicus Lay They frequently are seen catching their prey on hot days in the sunshine, like Amara, and allied genera.
Do not send the insects now, as I leave town, & will not be ready to take them up before September; put the small ones in alcohol (strong always) in homoeopathic bottles. The larger ones also in strong alcohol. They will then come safely, & I will pin name & return a set.
My father will be very much obliged for any frogs &c. especially the tree toads. If you can send him some of Blanding's tortoise
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we will keep them alive in the yard with others that we have. Lend to him, & not to the Academy. Reptiles will be very important to the latter, but it is hardly worth while to send them alive, as they are never taken care of until they die, & they are then put in spirits, a thing that might as well be done before they are sent to us.
I suppose you have seen the description of your snake in the last Proceedings. Let it be followed by many more papers. It is a capital beginning. Keep on, and believe me Ever,
Sincerely yours John L. LeConte