p. 101

101-
1829.

Sillman's Journal.

Shippingsport, Mar. 10th, 1829.

Dear Sir,--

******* I hope you may find a few, at least, among the specimens I sent you worth preserving in your cabinet. ****** I examined the Scioto, while on a visit to my parents in Ohio, for shells, going out on every sunken log, where the muskrats had been feeding on their animal inhabitants, in search of them. About fifteen varieties were discovered, among them Unio. cuneatus, U. cylindricus, U. prolongus, U. radiatus and a species of the genus Anodouta, or a shell which might with little impropriety be called a toothless Unio and cyclas similes.

***** It is probable that I have many of the shells which occur in your neighborhood, but it would be of great advantage to me to have a set of them, as I should then be certain of having their names correctly and could ascertain the meaning of a good many of the terms used in their description. ********

Yours respectfully,

I.A. Lapham.

S.P. Hildreth M.D.

Marietta, O.

Mar. 18. Cold weather yet, hard frost in the night and no appearance of vegetation.

Mar. 19th. Commenced drawing plan of the locks for Mr. Beauford, Engineer. Weather still cool with some snow. The river is a little above Mr. Berthond's [Beauford's?] wharf and is still rising.

Mr. Lapham,—

Dear Sir,—

******* I thought I had written you respecting the specimens which you were so kind as to send me) which arrived safely but not seasonably). Such is distinctly my impres-