RK-933

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

[written] Woodside - Thursday 9th Aug

Dear Kennicott

On my return (two weeks ago today) from a hurried business trip to Winnebago County I found awaiting me your letter under date July 18th with its welcome enclosure of insect pins. Since that time I have been so busy during the day and so tired at night (Charlie may whistle at that but it is a fact nevertheless) that I have scarce touched pen to paper - I am building me a little cottage with with what I consider a most trustworthy master (?) builder (took him on the

recomendation of "Poor Richard"

It is so hot today I have given over work -. tried entomolog as ing[?] in the woods but that was warm work - with poor pay - didn't get much - so at last I have taken to the house for shade

I brought Mary Rs case of beetles over from Odin yesterday. They will aid me greatly in naming my own collection - I wish however you had given the authorities for the names & number of the species I had already determined for myself and am glad to find my names verified by specimens so well authenticated

I wish I could find time to arrange my collections - I have a fair bit of Lepidopter

packed way in bones - several bottles of beetles in Alcohol - and also - as far as it goes a beautiful set of Rock river mollusca -

I regret that my time spent in the north was so limited as to compel me to return without the pleasure of a visit at the grove - I would enjoy looking over your museum - - the Grove gardens - lawn &c - every thing that has become so familiar to us through friend Charlies descriptions

I have recd no notice of my membership of the Chicago Acad - Nat'. Sci's

I hope you will succeed in getting an appropriation for a state Zoological Survey - Could I aid you in any way it would give me pleasure to do so

Thank you for your kind offer to get my specimens named - Shall I send you duplicates? please advise me what to do -

As for the reptiles - I have only a meagre collection - of the commonest kinds - - - Botany is below par with me just now - My continuity is nothing to boast of and I am at present more interested in other things -

I do know the botany of Rock river valley well - Studied it dilligently for half a dozen years -

4

Aug 8th

Since the foregoing was written I have recd yours of Aug 3d with more nis it[?] pins for which I return more thanks - You really overestimate the number of speciments in my possession - I only began collecting in Zoology last summer - - and have as yet found time to secure none but chance speciments - I thank you heartily for your kind suggestions but you would laugh at my few bottles - - scarc worth the trouble of sending to Washington as I have no doubt I could find every species represented in your own museum - I will look them all over as soon as I can find time - and send you duplicates numbered keeping a specimen myself under a common number