RK-401

Carbondale Ill^s. Decr 6^th 1857

Dear Friend

A day or two since I rec^d your letter written in October. What has delayed it so long I cannot tell, it may have been at Murphysboro about a week but not longer.

I am now living at Carbondale where I have built me a house on the square - Store House & dwelling connected.

You have guessed the reason of my delay in part, viz, that I waited to hear from you in regard to the Plants. I have also been delayed in getting in some insects & snakes from Mr Worthen who has helped me considerable, in fact most of the reptiles and the small mammal were gathered by him. I have some minerals, some shells, some 8 or 10 bottles insects and probably 10 or 12 Snakes, one or two Salamanders, Frogs &c.

I have not done as much as I expected, because when I came to Carbondale my time was so wholly occupied that I could not get out. Now that I have got fixed up & got help in the Store I can do more. And besides about the time I came over Mr. Bartley left for Ohio, but he is back now at the same old place teaching.

The folk in Carbondale gathered nothing worth naming they are among the ones I send, but only amount to half dozen insects & I believe one little reptile.

Some of the shells I send were gathered by Mr. Bartley in Scioto river Ohio.

I am anxious to receive those shells & Beetles Send by express to me at Carbondale.

My things have all been lying jumbled up in a confused heap for several weeks waiting until I could go into my house which I succeeded in doing some 3 or 4 days ago & just yesterday (Saturday) night got the workmen out. And this morning although Sabbath, packed your things up. I find in so doing that the Reptiles Mr. Logan & myself gathered have been forgotten & left at Murphysboro, but I send all the rest, & the first chance will send them, as Mr. Bartley & myself wish to send you some more Minerals.

I rec^d a blank from Smithsonian Inst. & to sign - it is rec^t. for Report, but I have not rec^d it.

I have a little more of your alcohol left and also one can & the net. I can return them or keep until spring when I will need them again. I have promises out to gather for some others but I always say to them that first I must supply Mr R. Kennicott - I have so written to Mr Honey of Ill^s. Teacher, who by his associate Editor requested our articles on the subject relative to South Ill^s.

That Spider's bite will hurt we have had some practical demonstrations here lately, a woman near Carbondale came near dying from it proof too pointed to dispute - Also a strong healthy man back in the country - case very plain could have been only spider.

Do young snakes ever enter the mouth of the parent? Have some evidence here that seems hard to do away with on any other ground.

Has not Pratten Omitted the Pellican?

We have numbers of them in this C^o. at certain seasons.

Mr Worthen sends you a Moccasin ^{(see can)}; and says that if you would like to have its biography he has the materials & will write it out.

I send this to Mr Judson but suppose you are in Washington, if you know any one on the Sea Coast who will Exchange shells for anything I can send them, tell them to put me up a box of them & send them by Express to

"C. Thomas. Carbondale, Ills. C. R. R."

and I will return the other things to them as they may direct.

Mrs Thomas & W^m. Logan & also Mr. Bartley send you their respects

Yours &c truly Cyrus Thomas

Carbondale Ils Dec 7' 57

Robert Kennicott Care P. Judson 42 Clark St Chicago Ill^s.