RK-646

Chicago 11th December 1858.

Robert Kennicott.

Dear Friend.

Mr. Guild was just here and said Dr. Andrews had recieved a letter from you, and in it you had requested me to drop you a line. I have been thinking for several days that I would write to you, but did not wish to presume too much on your time or good nature. for I consider the time of the Scientific of more value than that of most men. so you see it was more for the invitation than any thing else that I was waiting.

I like yourself. forgo attending medical lectures this winter. I am not spending the winter to so good

advantage as you. I am nursing the drug trade and find it rather dry buisness all round. beside the daily duties I manage to study three or four hours a day. which makes the time pass more pleasant= =ly than it otherwise would. I am reading Hamboldt's Cosmos now. and like it very much. Mr. Guild and I finished catalogueing the Shells about three weeks ago. The case of Homoptera I have brought home with me. and arranged them at my leisure. I found the specimens very moldy and some of them badly eaten by mothes. I prepared a mucilage of Gum Tragacauth. with a little Gum Arabic added. and applied a coating of the mucilage to each specimen with a camels hair brush. it destroyed the mold. and has brough out the natural color. I think the mucilage will

prevent the moldy vegetation on them again. and also make them more impervious to the advances of the moth. I have put new paper inside and outside of the case. and arranged the specimens so as to fill the case with the number. generic and specific name placed in front of each species. The catalogue (a copy of which I think you have with you) calls for No's 57. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 90. 91. 94. and 95. there were no specimens in the case corresponding to these numbers. - - If there are any publications of the Smithsonian Institute, or other works that you think I ought to have. I will remit you the "wharewith," if you will be so kind as to procure them for me. I generally manage to spare money enough for Books. if I have to scrimp myself on other things. Before you come back to Chicago I want to

send you about $5- to purchase some Pm's for me. if you can get them in Washington - Charles Kennicott called at the store this morning. he did not stop long. said he would call again before going back south. which would be in about two weeks. Fred write me that he is sorry he went back to Little Rock, as the prospects of the Road are not very flattering - Dr. Andrews read a paper before the Medical Society at their last meeting. I hear it spoken of very highly by the M.D's Dr. Andrews is evidently gaining a [illegible] reputation as a scientific man. I think he justly deserves it - I would be very glad to hear from you often, ask me as many questions about Chicago matters as you choose. I have plenty of time to answer them - Your Friend and Obedient Servant.

Jno. Maynard Woodworth. P.O. Box No. 678-