RK-505

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C., [written] Wednesday (24th?) [printed] 18 [handwritten] 58

Dear Little Daughter

Yours in pencil and father of (15th?) came yesterday - I like the idea of Charlie's going in with Mr Reynolds. Mr Reynolds is essentially a "brick" and I doubt not he and Charlie will pull together well - moreover his pleasant family is a matter worthy of consideration - Reynolds is a geologist _ and the man who studies geology studies other things always.

Glad to hear you have a hired girl at last, even if she cant speak English - It would be well for you now to try to learn more German words - 'tis not alone the mere acquirement of the langguage that does you good.

Yesterday I wrote six hours without stopping, and finished the Post Office article I have now written on all the Illinois mammals excepting the Beaver, opossum, Bats wolves and foxes and cats. I have probably written more than the 60 pages which will be published this year and the surplus with what I have to write on these other mammals will make another article for next year -

Tell father I have determined to get ready an axe to be ground at the next session session

of our State legislature - that axe is an appropriation of say $1500. a year for the collection of the animals of Ill. Tis hard telling whether the thing might not be made to work and is at least worth trying for. Could a lot of the state membs of assembly be coaxed up to the promising point the thing might go. My previous surveys, collections obtained from Smithsonian and assistance from good naturalists give me great advantages; This could be carried on in connection with my University duties. I want the present address of the new state geologist. I am going to try this on hard - I think that with $2000. a year (or more) I could live very comfortably and maybe show that mother & father and all your assistance to me has not been wasted. I would like it if father would cautiously mention the idea of an appropriation above that for geology (to include Botany perhaps) to the more liberal minded of his influential Illinois correspondents. The thing had best not be too much talked of though, and I dont care to have it mentioned to the University folk at present.

You ask about collecting specimens. A gentleman is now going to write a big book on the night fly ing lepidoptera and therefore every specimen of moth etc will be valuable If you can get any by all means do so. You

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, [written] 2 [printed] Washington D. C., 18

[written] collections would gain you much credit and assist me vastly as this gentleman will give me exchanges besides labelling my collections. I enclose some insect pins. - Better not bother with butterflies at present, flies and wasps are desirable - you will also find a few beetles. - Of snakes and all reptiles I want unlimited quantities. Even the most common garter snake is desirable up to about two or three hundred! The only time to get that rare prairie water snake with the yellowish belly and uniform coppery brown back is in the spring. now too you'll find tree frogs and salamanders best. all are wanted by the hundred if large - by the thousand! if small. Mammals cant be had in too great numbers - mammals had best have the skin cut from the breast bone to the tail and then just seperated from the flesh along the abdomen and sides a cut made into the abdominal cavity and the body thrown entire into alcohol - if the skin is loosened the hair does not come off - If there is not time for this stick a knife or scissors point into the abdomen and pop 'em so into alcohol. Pay a cent apeice for field

mice of all kinds and the same for all snakes (but garters) and the same for all salamanders. but make the boys bring 'em in good condition and dock em half if the specimens are not properly caught and kept the hole into the abdomen of mammals is essential and a broken skull spoils the specimen unless rare - Reccollect that the two most common mice (arvicola austerus and mus Bairdii) are very rare in museums; weasels are worth at least a half dime each - Engage birds eggs all you can at from 1 cent each to 2 cents a dozen. Bl all the small birds eggs are worth a cent apiece as are all water birds. The only ones not rare are king bird, blk birds, jays and the robins and thrushes - Hawks and owls are very desirable - doves, rails plover, and sparrows though common are very valuable for exchange.

If you have any money set it down that I may charge it to the University - recollect it does not come out of my pocket. add enough water to the alcohol to make it one third water. and dont crowd the specimens -

When I came from North Red River I brought home some seeds - I have forgotten where I put 'em - perhaps in Charlies tool chest - perhaps with some

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C., 18

[written] of my papers - Now I would like to give some of these to the government greenhouse here and wish you would if possible find them and take out part (half) of those most of them and send to me by mail. A very few seeds are enough - I dont care if all the species are not sent - among those I particularly want are some labelled "Plain turnip") (of which there are only a half dozen or ten seeds in all) "dwarf Liatris" "branching liatris" and sundry ones called "yellow flowers" with various descriptions of habitat etc - get these for me if you can - and when you can make out my writing come as near to it as you can. I will get in exchange some flower seeds.

Tell the boys not to let the terrier tear the mice but by patiently tracking him learn him to catch them, and drop them or give them up when willed.

Love to all Bob