RK-365

Milwaukee July 2^d 1857

Dear Sir

I was glad to get your letter of 28^th and hear of your progress in making collections in Natural History.

In regard to the plants, I will very willingly over=haul them, label them, and arrange them in suitable port=folio's for the University. I could readily add some species from my own collection, which now amounts to many thousand species. Of course the paper &c to be paid for: I can devote some time to the work but cannot afford to draw upon my scanty purse. Should there be any duplicates not already in my herbarium I should want the privelege of keeping them.

For a traveling-press you only want two thin boards ^{(12 by 18 inches)} of some hard wood, and two leather straps with buckles. The paper may be of any bibulous kind. Old newspapers will do. To make good specimens these papers must be changed often for others that are dry. The more rapidly the moisture of the plants is absorbed the more fresh and natural the specimen will come out. -

The best specimens can be made at home and the University should take measures to secure first a full collection of such as can be found in their neighborhood before going off. -

I hope you will be able to find time to come up here and make me another visit, especially if you think of going to Red River - for I have just returned from a tour to that river (at the S. bend Lat 46[degrees] Long 96[degrees] - Another party ^{of young men} will leave here in August, and if you desire it I will arrange for you to go with them.

We found fresh tracks of buffalo, elk &c - but were too early to see them on the prairies. There are plenty of ducks, geese, grouse, sandhill cranes, pelican, swan &c &c up there. We were too early also for plants, though the spring flowers were out - and we made a large list of such as we saw not in flower. -

About 30 miles west of St. Cloud (near the Sauk Rapids where we left the Mississippi) we passed the last settlement and used our tent the rest of the way. By following the "Pembina Trail" we had no serious difficulty in getting through with a team.

I made some important geological observations not reported by Owen (for he was on a different route) - much of the country represented by him as argillaceous drift being based on limestone. The sub=soil is almost a pure marl, effervessing like chalk, with acids.

I brought home among other things a large "buffalo skull." which I picked up on the great level savannah.

If you come here I will help you make collections in this vicinity, but cannot very well go to St Paul and Red river again. We will spend a day or so at some station on our Mississippi R. Road.

Perhaps I shall find time to run down to Chicago at the meeting of Nat. Hist. Society: cannot yet say for certain. I propose to be at Beloit at the Commencement of their College on the 8th July - Can you not meet me there? -

My respects for your father & sisters.

Very truly yours I A Lapham

Robert Kennicott Esq.

P.S. If the three young ladies at my house knew I was writing to you, they would, doubtless send their compliments!