RK-184

Racine Sept. 13 - 1856

Dear Bob

Glad you are going in for the Silver Spoons and forks your mother – that’s right – You say you have been worked half to death this summer, all I can say is that at least there have been two of us – I have had but little time to devote to Nat. History yet I have managed to secure a fine lot of moths and beetles –

The Geraboa is (Gerbillus Canadensis. Derm.) In latter days the Generic name has been changed to Marcina. If I mistake not, this is of but little consequence – Cant they jump! -

I cannot put my hands on your list of eggs or I would indicate such as I wish – Cant you make out another yet when you have rare eggs -

and only two of the kind I will yeald to Dr Brewer – but dont send him more than one when you have three – I can furnish you with many of our eggs.

If possible I will be at Alton - yet at this time the prospect looks rather dark – I have just received a letter from Prof. Kirtland inviting us to visit him on the occasion of the Ohio St. Fair at Cleveland. Sorry we cant go.

I have never known of any one being killed by the bite of the C. [illegible] and I doubt the story of Prof. Daniels for I never heard a word of such an occurrance – I knew a lady who was Enciente at the time of being bitten by the rattle snake – She aborted on consequence and died from uterine haemorage. So the bite was the exerting cause or rather the remote cause of her death.

I have never found Hyla Pickeringi in Wis. – doubt much whether it will be found,

Cant you come to Racine this fall with your sisters –

I have a fine lot of German insect pins. They are far superior to the French pins –

You Did right in recommending Mr Laurence to write to me – if you write again to him say that you speak from authority, that I will answer –

Mrs Hoy unites in sending compliments

Yours Truly P. R. Hoy

Dr. R. Kennicott

PS. Keep for me one of the eggs of the short eared owl – and one of the Phalerope. eggs – sure -