Box 11, Folder 3: Correspondence September-December 1871

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began collecting. I received much valuable aid and advice from such men as Mr Wheately, Mr Isaac [Leu?], and especially Dr. Lewis of Mohawk, N.Y.

These favors are continual, and have put me under obligation, not only to them, but, to the great world of conchological research, a scientific fraternity, whose field of action girdles the earth. I wish, if possible, to repay, somewhat, this indebtedness, and can best do so, perhaps, in the way I have suggested. My cabinet is growing rapidly, but is without representation from your region. I am anxious to get the fluviatile mollusca unionidae especially, also univalaes and [Helicidea?]. If you know the address of any reliable Wis. or Iowa collector, with whom I could get exchange, I should be very glad of the information. I have a week of leisure during the vacation, and will put you up a fair representation of our [Unios?] &c [etc] and send

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them on. I would also enclose helices, papae, [viviparidae?], &c [etc], but that my time is so fully occupied, that I have none in which to go through my list of duplicates. I will do so, however, as soon as opportunity offers. My last exchange brought me 94 new species, not well represented in all cases, but with [Prisodon?], Leila, &c [etc], this is not always possible. I hope our correspondence may grow into something of mutual advantage at some future time, as I am a perservering, perhaps somewhat too persistent worker; but my little experience in the field of natural science has been, that we never have valuable facts come to us unapplied for. To conclude this very hastily written letter, permit me to thank you for your kindess, and to hope for the information which I have asked. I will send list of desiderata and duplicates as soon as I have leisure.

Most truly yours

A. G. Wetherby

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Dr. I. A. Lapham [1871?] 325 Poplar St.

Are the published yearly means as follows probably correct and has there been any change in the zero of the water gauge (staff) above it's reference mark since 1868 - if so it is not noted in our office. Can you re-examine the height of the zero above the bench mark on Poplar St. ["Willow" crossed out] and furnish me the data for the reduction of present water

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gauge readings:

Published in 1870 Report.

1859 = 1.51 1860 2.02 1861 2.01 1862 2.05 1863 2.60 64 3.18 65 3.36 66 3.69 67 3.36 1868 3.64 not published the following 1869 = 3.43 1870 = 2.45

1871 Sept 12 - [Re-?] a level from B.M. on my house (12 33) found no change!

Mr. Olds - Asst. Lake Survey - says a station is to be built - with [over?] half mile of the place marked by you on the Government Hill. There is to be a station also near the Soldiers Home.

Respectfully

A. B. Wheeler