Robert Kennicott's Letters to Spencer F. Baird, 1853-1865
Introduction by Kenneth S. MierzwaBulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, Volume 20, Number 3-4, 1985: pages 61 to 81.
Robert Kennicott was one of the first herpetologists to collect extensively in Illinois. He sent numerous specimens to the recently established Smithsonian Institution, where Spencer Baird directed the natural history museum. Kennicott was brought to Washington to help catalogue specimens, and he developed a close relationship with Baird (Hendrickson, 1970). The two men wrote to each other frequently; the correspondence consists of more than 1,000 items.
Portions of Kennicott's letters are reproduced here, including nearly all of the passages related to herpetology. His comments on other animals are generally excluded, except where the passage in question is directly related to a herpetological reference, or where its exclusion would make reading difficult.
Robert Kennicott was born in New Orleans in 1835, and soon afterward the family moved to what was then known as West Northfield (Northfield Township), now part of Glenview. The Kennicotts were among the first settlers in the area north of Chicago.
The Kennicott property was located atop the Park Ridge moraine, a low ridge of glacial origin. It included an oak-hickory grove with several pothole ponds. The surrounding area was mostly tall-grass prairie. There was a narrow band of mesic forest along the east bank of the Des Plaines River (1.4 miles to the west of the Kennicott property). Prairie fires, caused by lightning or set by Indians to drive game, were common in presettlement times. The river acted as firebreak, protecting the fire sensitive Maple-Basswood forest which grew on the alluvial soils (Moran, 1976). Smaller clusters of fire resistant Bur Oak and other species dotted the prairie, especially or ridges; the Kennicott's occupied one of these groves. Sloughs and marshes would have been numerous on the prairie; most have now been drained, and the prairie is all but gone (3 acre Woodworth prairie, 0.9 miles to the southeast, is the nearest remnant). The small woodland and the Kennicott house remain, a natural island surrounded by rapidly growing suburbs. The 82 acre area, known as "The Grove", is a National Historic Landmark and is owned by the Glenview Park District.
When the first of the letters to Baird was written in 1853, Kennicott was about to turn 18. He was a beginner at natural history, although he had already spent half a year studying under Dr. Jared P. Kirtland in Ohio. Much of his field work with reptiles came in these early years, when he was still building his knowledge. By the time Kennicott had developed a high level of expertise he had many commitments to tend to. Some of the later letters deal with affairs of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, of which Kennicott was a prominent founding member; many others discuss preparations for his western and Alaska trips. What time he did spend in the field in later years was devoted largely to mammals and birds, though he never lost his interest in reptiles.
The following article was edited from typewritten transcriptions of the original Kennicott letters. There are occasional missing words where the various people who typed the transcriptions could not read Kennicott's writing. In a few cases entire lines or sections of letters are missing. Misspelled scientific names have been corrected where the error is obviously that of the transcriber; no other changes have been made.
Nomenclature has changed considerably since Kennicott's time. The following list includes all species mentioned in the letters or in the 1855 article. Collins, et al. (1982), Dunn (1926), Smith (1961), and Vogt (1981) were referred to in compiling Table 1.
| An annotated list of the nomenclature used in Robert Kennicott's letters to Spencer Fullerton Baird, 1853-1865. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Kennicott's Usage
| 1986 Usage | ||
Scientific Name
| Common Name
| Scientific Name
| Common Name |
| Ambystoma punctata | ? | Ambystoma maculatum | Spotted Salamander |
| Ambystoma lurida | Ground Puppy, Black Salamander | Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum | Eastern Tiger Salamander |
In 1986, Eastern Tiger Salamanders were still common near the Kennicott house. | |||
| Notophthalmus miniatus | Red Salamander, Scarlet Salamander | Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis | Central Newt eft stage |
| Notophthalmus viridescens | ? | Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis | Central Newt aquatic stage |
Central Newts still occur in Cook County, but have probably declined considerably since Kennicott's time. Pope (1944) reported the species from Deerfield (Lake Co.), only a few miles from The Grove; that population no longer exists. | |||
| Hemidactylium scutatum | ? | Hemidactylium scutatum | Four-toed Salamander |
The Four-toed Salamander has not been recorded from northeastern Illinois since 1932. | |||
| Spelerpes (erythronotum) | ? | Plethodon cinereus | Red-backed Salamander |
| Necturus lateralis | Water Puppy | Necturus maculosus | Mudpuppy |
| Menobranchus | ? | Cryptobranchus alleganiensis | Hellbender |
| Bufo americanus | Toad | Bufo americanus americanus | American Toad |
| Hyla versicolor | Common Large Tree-Frog | Hyla versicolor / Hyla chrysoscelis | Gray Treefrog, Cope's Gray Treefrog |
| Hyla triseriata | Striped Prairie Tree-Frog | Pseudacris triseriata triseriata | Western Chorus Frog |
In 1986, the Western Chorus Frog was the most common frog at The Grove. | |||
| Hyla Pickeringii | ? | Hyla crucifer crucifer | Spring Peeper |
| Rana clamata | Large Swamp Frog | Rana clamitans melanota | Green Frog |
Green Frogs are abundant in the less developed areas away from Chicago. Kennicott makes no mention of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, which is now common in the Des Plaines River. | |||
| Rana halecina | Common Green Frog | Rana pipiens | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Trionyx ferox | Soft-shelled Turtle | Trionyx spiniferus spiniferus | Spiny Softshell Turtle |
This turtle still occurs in quiet backwaters of the Des Plaines River. | |||
| Cistuda Blandingii | Blanding's Tortoise, Prairie Tortoise, High-land Terrapin | Emydoidea blandingi | Blanding's Turtle |
Blanding's Turtle is listed as rare by the Illinois Department of Conservation. It still occurs sporadically in northeastern Illinois. The species appears to have been common in Kennicott's time. | |||
| Chonizra serpentina | Snapping Turtle | Chelydra serpentina serpentina | Snapping Turtle |
| Emys pieta | ? | Chrysemys picta marginata x belli | Painted Turtle |
| Plestiodon fasciatum | Blue-tailed Skink, Swift | Eumeces fasciatus | Five-lined Skink |
| Plestiodon quinquelineatum | Skink | Eumeces fasciatus | Five-lined Skink |
Kennicott and others of his time believed adult male skinks to be distinct from the females and young. There have been no records of skinks from the area since the turn of the century. | |||
| Scincus lateralis | ? | Scincella lateralis | Ground Skink |
Recorded from southern Illinois, where it is still common. | |||
| Amevia sexlineata | ? | Cnemidophorus sexlineatus | Six-lined Racerunner |
| Anolis carolinensis | ? | Anolis carolinensis | Carolina Anole |
| Ophisaurus lunettes | Glass Snake, Joint Snake | Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus | Western Slender Glass Lizard |
| Tropidolepus | ? | Sceloporus | ? |
| Eutania sirtalis | Striped Snake, Garter Snake | Thamnophis sirtalis | Eastern Garter Snake |
Eastern Garter Snakes are still common at The Grove, where the "Chicago" variety occurs. Kennicott also saw typically patterned garter snakes in southern Illinois, and the red-sided garter snake, T. s. parietaZis on his western trips. | |||
| Eutania radix | Striped Snake, Garter Snake | Thamnophis radix radix | Plains Garter Snake |
Plains Garter Snakes were considered the most common snake by Kennicott. It is still common in the area, and occurs within ?__ miles of The Grove. | |||
| Eutania proxima | Swift Striped Snake | Thamnophis proximus proximus | Western Ribbon Snake |
Relatively common in Kennicott's time, it is uncertain whether this species still occurs in northeastern Illinois. It has been reported occasionally from The Grove and at least 3 Lake County localities, but this editor has not seen a specimen. At best it is extremely rare. | |||
| Nerodia sipedon | Spotted Water Snake | Nerodia sipedon sipedon | Northern Water Snake |
| Regina Grahamii | Prairie Water Snake | Regina grahami | Graham's Water Snake |
This prairie marsh species is now extremely rare in northeastern Illinois. | |||
| Regina leberis | Yellow-bellied Water Snake | Regina septemvittata | Queen Snake |
This species has also declined considerably since Kennicott's time. | |||
| Regina Kirtlandii | Kirtland's Snake | Clonophis kirtlandi | Kirtland's Snake |
Described by Kennicott (and Spencer Baird) from specimens collected at or very near The Grove. The species still occurs within a few miles of there, although it is now extremely rare (four specimens since 1970, the most recent in June of 1985). | |||
| Heterodon platyrhinos | Hog-nose, Spreading Adder | Heterodon platyrhinos | Eastern Hognose Snake (blotched phase) |
| Heterodon niger | ? | Heterodon platyrhinos | Eastern Hognose Snake (dark phase) |
| Ophibolus eximus / Coluber eximus | Milk Snake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum | Eastern Milk Snake |
This species still occurs within two miles of The Grove, but it is rather uncommon. The March 26, 1855 mention of a "milk snake" may refer to a misidentified fox snake, Elaphe vulpina vulpina. Fox snakes are not mentioned by Kennicott, although they are fairly common in the more rural areas away from Chicago today. It is unlikely that a milk snake would attempt to eat anything as large as a "spermophile" (ground squirrel or chipmunk). This whole story may be questionable, since it was related by Kennicott's "little cousin." | |||
| Ophibolus Sayi/ Lampropeltis getulus /Bascanion constrictor | Black Snake | ... | ... |
Kennicott used Ophibolus, Lampropelitis getulus and Bascanion constrictor for Coluber constrictor (Racer) and Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Black Rat Snake). Both are common in Union County, Illinois, where Kennicott collected, and in other parts of southern Illinois. In 1986, the racers there were considered C. constrictor priapus x foxi integrades, and are nearly black above. It is uncertain which of these species Kennicott was referring to when he used Bascanion constrictor. He had difficulty identifying specimens of the blue racer, and seemed somewhat confused on this whole issue. | |||
| Chlorosoma vernalis | Green Snake | Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi | Smooth Green Snake |
Although this species has become relatively uncommon in the Chicago area within the last 20 years, in 1986 it still occurred within *? mile of The Grove. | |||
| Celuta amoena | Worm Snake | Carphophis amoenus | Worm Snake |
| Diadophis punctatus | ? | Diadophis punctatus edwardsi | Northern Ringneck Snake |
| Storeria Dekayi | Little Grey snake | Storeria dekayi wrightorum | Midland Brown Snake |
| Storeria occipitomaculata | Little Red-bellied Snake | Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata | Red-bellied Snake |
| Foxicophis piscivorus | Moccasin | Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostomaleucostoma | Cottonmouth |
Kennicott seems unsure of himself identifying the Cottonmouth. Perhaps he was confused by it and several other species of large, heavy-bodied water snakes common where he collected in Union County, Illinois. | |||
| Crotalus duressus | Banded Rattlesnake, Mountain Rattlesnake | Crotalus horridus horridus | Timber Rattlesnake |
| Crotalophorus tergeminus | Prairie Massasauga | Sistrurus catenatus catenatus | Eastern Massasauga |
| Crotalophorus Kirtlandii | Black Massasauga | Sistrurus catenatus catenatus | Eastern Massasauga (melanistic phase) |
Evidently both color phases of Eastern Massasaugas were common in Kennicott's time, but have become very uncommon in this area within the past 15 to 20 years. | |||
| Crotalophorus miliarus | ? | Sistrurus miliarius | Pigmy Rattlesnake |
| Elaps fulvius | ? | Micrurus fulvius | Coral Snake |
| Septophis destious | "... like the African "Cerastes" | possibly Bothrops schlegeli | ? |
| Table 1. | |||
Robert Kennicott's Letters to Spencer F. Baird, 1853-1865
Nov. 9th, 1853 The Grove, West Northfield, Illinois
I have been trying to find out the snakes of which I have specimens; I have labeled one of each sort, what I think they are; and I will be obliged to you if you will tell me where I am right or wrong; also if you will tell me the names of the lizards and one snake which I have labeled. What do you propose to call the new snake? It belongs to the Colubridae, of course? To what genus does it belong? I cannot make it out. I send you the specimen of it that I got this fall, of which I have written a sort of description, which I enclose. Please tell me how it agrees with the first snake of the kind I sent.I have made but very little progress in the study of Nat. History for want of books: the only ones in my possession being the catalogue of "North American Reptiles", which you sent me, a volume of Dr. Harris' "Report on Insects" and a general work on Nat. History; but the last is useless, as it is a book only got up for show and I can place no reliance on it, as it is full of errors.
I made some experiments this summer with the rattle snake Crot. tergeminus. I wanted to determine whether the virus had any effect on the stomach, and whether their bite injures reptiles. I first took two young kittens and two cedar birds and poured a drop or two of virus down the throat of each. None of them appeared affected in the least. The kittens are still living and in perfect health, the birds were perfectly healthy some days after the experiment, when they escaped. I then poured a drop or two of virus down the throats of several garter snakes Eutania sirtalis, which did not have any effect on them. This proves conclusively that the virus is harmless when taken into the stomach. I kept a number of rattle and garter snakes together in a box and I have repeatedly seen a rattle snake bite (or strike) itself and the other snakes of both sorts, and in no case were any of them affected. I thought perhaps the scales prevented the fangs from penetrating the flesh, so I removed the skin from a small place on a garter snake's back, leaving the flesh bare; then opening a rattle snakes mouth I placed the bare spot under the fangs and irritated the rattle snake until he struck his fangs into the flesh, which I could plainly see him do. The wound of course made the snake feel a little sore, but except for this he did not seem to be affected in the least; he was alive and well a month afterwards. I then made a rattle snake bite a large lizard repeatedly, but the lizard was not affected in the least. I then removed the skin from a place on the lizards neck and inserted the fangs of the rattle snake. An hour or two afterward, I examined the lizard and he was perfectly active and appeared well, except the wound I had made was much larger than I had intended and I had cut quite a deep gash in making it. I could not examine the lizard until some days afterwards, when I found him dead - but I have not the least doubt but he died from the effects of the wounds I made as it was pretty cold and he was not protected from it.
I have lots of striped snakes. I cannot make them out by your catalogue. I must send you numbered ones and keep duplicates. Do the sexes differ in the same species? I find two which were taken near each other and which look alike; one has the lateral stripe on the 2nd and 3rd, while the other has it on the 3rd and 4th; now of scales can they be the same? I find some in which the color is the same and the stripe on the sides alike but which have the shape of the plates on the head different. I don't know in fact what constitutes specific differences. I have got one strongly marked, and very beautiful garter snake which I can't find in your catalogue, one of haze (?) perhaps --
I shall send you lots of living reptiles presently.
Jan. 12th, 1855 West Northfield
You don't tell me that you named that new snake. I am anxious to know. Will it be convenient to send me one of the plates of it? I would much like a miniature of my darling.March 26th, 1855 West Northfield
If there are any birds of which you particularly want skins tell me as I may sometime get them. As both you and Dr. Kirtland have rec'd full sets from Dr. Hoy, you know what is to be found here. Hoy says our gray spermophile not as large as that has a black tail, this has not. My little cousin told me today of a curious process between several of these fellows and a snake. He says when in a hay field last summer he saw a large milk snake which had caught a spermophile and several of his companions instead of making them-selves scarce gave battle to the snake. Unfortunately the snake was killed without waiting to watch the result.In the spring - that is if we ever have spring again - I intend to collect and keep alive in a large cage all the frogs, salamanders, turtles, etc., I can. Now do you want for your reptile menagerie all the common reptiles? Or can you get them nearer home?
I sent Dr. Holbrook a snake which I thought at the time to be the same as a small water snake Regina I sent you, but upon seeing a large specimen of R.____ at Dr. Hoy's I am convinced it is different. I will write to Dr. Holbrook about it. I want to know why he has never seen fit to even acknowledge the receipt of the specimens l sent him. Dr. Hoy says he can't imagine what it is. I probably never caught but one specimen though it is rather common. It is a water snake, grows very large, lives in the sloughs. As I remember it, it resembles the Eutania.
April 15th, 1855 West Northfield
Coming out of Chicago yesterday over bad roads, I had an opportunity as the team went slowly to look at the frogs in the ditches beside the turnpike. I caught one specimen of Hyla triseriata and saw another in the water. I saw many frogs which I supposed to be Rana halecina, saw two paired. I can't catch the fellow that pipes "peet, teet, tee" so prettily.I got a Blanding's tortoise (male) the other day which was found in a slough. These tortoises go more in the water than at first thought. A neighbor's boy plowed up two of them the other day. They were buried nearly a foot deep on a dry prairie knoll. Though the boy knew I wanted them the little rip did not bring them to me.
April 30th, 1855 West Northfield
I will send to you in a few days a lot of tortoises, salamanders, snakes, and other things alive. I am just going out collecting this afternoon. I will send the things through just as soon as I can get them to Chicago.I shall send some living skinks, two sorts I think, so lookout for them when you open the box.
May 1st, 1855 West Northfield
Yours of April 23 containing $5 was rec'd a day or two since and the letter requesting me to send reptiles at once came yesterday noon. I had one Blanding's tortoise and some snakes, etc., in my cages at the time but wishing to do the best I could for you I coaxed Charlie to let me go for the afternoon and started on a short expedition, the fruits of which were a Blanding's tortoise, 4 Hyla triseriata and some snakes and frogs. A lucky rain storm stopped our work early this evening and at the expense of a good ducking my brother and myself succeeded in getting some small salamanders, 3 of the four toed fellows and 2 of "Notophthalmus". I send you all the living reptiles I have. I wanted to watch the habits of some of them but they will probably be of more use to you. I have the box containing the reptiles, etc., packed and will probably send it into Chicago tomorrow. I send an old female of that short tailed white footed mouse and two young ones. I only left one with her lest she eat them, the other is packed by itself. I also send alive an Arvicola which seems different from the common ones. Please examine the garter snakes in the larger bag and tell me how many species there are. In the small bag is a specimen of the fine garter snake which I have mentioned. Are the two water snakes Regina leberis? In the frog bag how many specimens are there, I mean in the bag containing the large frogs, Rana? Among the small frogs is one Rana, I think. I send 4 ______ . What are they? Look sharp in the bag containing Storerias; it contains 3 specimens of Dekayi and one very small Occipitomaculata. The latter I had let my little brother have for a pet. He did not like to let it go, but I told him his snake would occupy an important post, being perhaps the only representative of the species in the Garden of Plantes. With praiseworthy self denial he gave up his snake for the sake of its standing a chance to become so important a personage.May 1st, 1855 West Northfield
Hyla triseriata is very common here. I caught one the other day which cried out. It's noise is not very pleasant, being two rolling r-r-r-. I can't describe it.Undated but found between May 1, 1855 and May 2, 1855.)
Dear Sir -I have certainly 4 species of white footed mice - (1st leucopus, 2nd Michiganensis (if it be so), 3rd so much like No. 2 (Michiganensis) that I at first took it for the same but it has a longer tail, larger ears and is whiter on the belly, 4th I enclose a specimen of. I find it in the woods. I have only one specimen of the 3rd species and don't like to risk it in a letter.
How many specimens of salamanders alive do you want.
Dr. Kirtland says Dr. Holbrook has sent me his Herpetology (old edition). I will send him some specimens again this summer.
Are not the skins of mice, etc., as when cured with arsenic and stuffed with cotton? Does alcohol improve the colors?
(Ed. Note: This list may be a list of specimens sent.)
Eutania proxima
Regina leberis
Eutania sirtalis
Chlorosoma vernalis
Hyla Pickeringii
Hyla triseriata
Rana (fontinales?)
Rana halecina
Bufo Americanus (writer's?)
3 Plestiodon
1 Plestiodon fasciatum
May 2nd, 1855 West Northfield
Look sharp in the bag of small salamanders or you will miss some. How many species of garter snake are there in the large bag? I have had to repack the box this morning and it was well that I did for the small salamanders and one skink got out of the bag (I had them in linen bags and they worked through the meshes). What are the toads? They seem different. Are they?I will send you more snakes, etc. for your menagerie as soon as I collect. I have good cages and my parents and brothers and sisters as well as two aunts living near are all very kind in assisting me to collect. They have learned to forget the vulgar fear of harmless animals and all carry snake bags and bugging bottles.
May 8th, 1855 West Northfield
Prof. Holbrook pronounces the water snake I have before mentioned and of which sent you two specimens - a new one.May 17th, 1855
Yours of May 12 was rec'd yesterday. My thanks for the pins. I made up my mind this spring that the Regina sent you last was not leberis and did not see that it agreed with anything in the catalogue. You propose to describe it (if new) in my name as R. kirtlandii. Now I am much flattered at this and should be very proud to have the honor of naming a snake but would it be right for me to borrow your thunder in that way?I have sent (last fall) one specimen of this snake to Prof. Holbrook. He pronounced it new - I shall tell him I (?) will describe it if it is really new. I will send all I get as a present to you. I do not see that the specimens I have agree with your descriptions of Regina grahamii but you are better able to judge than I.
I will send two boxes of specimens to you tomorrow. One contains living reptiles - species of the Regina and lots of garter and green snakes, 3 Blanding's tortoises & some salamanders (the latter are in a bag with the snakes). The other box contains quadrupeds and reptiles in alcohol & skins. In the large bottle are some snakes with numbers attached. Don't trouble to give me the names of these unless there are more than three species of garter snakes. By what you told me in your last letter I can make out sirtalis, proxima, and radix. I find proxima in the water. It dives and travels under water like a true water snake.
While on my southern trip I will of course collect reptiles in hosts. Now shall I send lots of these alive to you as fast as I collect them along the road? I suppose you have enough of the garter snakes and the green fellows - Rana halorina. I will probably be able to get specimens of Crotalus duressus. I'll look sharp after the tortoises.
I hope the collecting apparatus will be on hand soon. I want to get acquainted with it. I mean to spend a day "snaking" near the Calumet a few miles south of Chicago next week.
July 4th, 1855 Southern Illinois
I have a worm snake Celuta amaena - black snake - two Heterodons - blue racer, water snakes & several others, several salamanders new to me, a lizard and a fine glass snake - lots of fish, etc. I did best among the snakes and lizards. My Mississippi cousin (Miss Helen Tennison) says she has got me snakes, lizards, salamanders, frogs, etc.August 13th, 1855
Do you know the snake called the "blue racer"? I cannot make it out in your catalogue of serpents. It is of slender form and light bluish color. I've got specimens. This week one of my caged Blanding's tortoises has laid several eggs. I enclose a drawing of one of them which gives you the exact sizes. The eggs were deposited on the ground. Did you ever observe this tortoise thrust up its head when it heard anything at a distance? I think he is a land animal decidedly. I see Dr. Hoy considers Ambystoma lurida aquatic entirely. I have often found them in holes throughout the summer.September 30th, 1855 (Just returned from southern Illinois)
I got one large specimen of a snake which was doubtless Ophibolus sayi B&G. The yellow dots on the scales were arranged in lines across the back. I had him alive but upon my return yesterday I found he had escaped.I think the blue racer I have cannot be Bascanion constrictor (black snake). It may be the young. But I hope I've got something interesting in it.
I have two specimens of Heterodon niger, one dead and other alive.
October, 14th, 1855 Chicago
My collection was much injured at the fair from lack of proper cases, etc., to exhibit it in. A good many of my living reptiles were killed. I exhibited them in cages with glass but the panes of glass got broken and the crowd was so great that it was impossible to prevent their being "poked" with sticks. I had a glass snake and someone broke the cover of the cage and broke most of his tail off. (It was reported that the snake had "disjointed himself". The crowd waited anxiously to see the pieces rejoin, but to the chagrin of several of the wise ones, they would not come together.)Yesterday I put the remaining reptiles in a box and sent them to the express office for you. I also sent a living Franklin's marmot. I was in a great hurry and being in the fair grounds with-out conveniences had to send the reptiles off in bad condition.
In a bag in the box are a lot of rattlesnakes. All the rest are loose turtles and snakes together. If there are any of the snakes that you do not need I wish you would send to Dr. Holbrook but don't send any you need for yourself.
(line missing) If you could spare these I suppose Dr. Holbrook would be very glad to get them. Among the turtles is a spec. of the long-toed variety of Emys picta - notice him.
If you could spare some of the turtles I suppose Dr. Agassiz would like them. I promised Dr. Blaney to send some to him (Dr. Agassiz) but I could not get at it.
About the name of that new snake - I should certainly like to name him after Dr. Kirtland as you proposed instead of having him named after me, but would it be right for me to take credit for describing it when you write the description? You know what is right better than I do, so please act as you think proper. You never told me to what genus he belonged.
Nov. 2nd, 1855 _____
I am very glad to accept your kind offer to send the lot of reptiles and fishes to Dr. Holbrook for me. If you can spare it I would like him to have the living specimen of the new snake and one of the Regina grahamii I sent alive this fall -- that is if they reached you safely.Pray do not send anything you would prefer keeping. I would like to send Dr. Holbrook all I could of course but I would sooner miss letting him have a dozen things than you one.
In the box is a small bottle containing two tortoise egg shells. One or both I believe to be of Cistuda blandingii. The smaller is one of three found in my tortoise pen. I took it at the time to be of C. blandingii for through there were some box tortoises in the cage I thought they were males and they seemed too small to lay such eggs at any rate. But this fall my cousins brought me several eggs (of which the larger in the bottle is one) of a larger size. Of these they found seven in plowing a corn field in July and near by they found an old Blanding tortoise (a female I judge - it was the largest of those sent you I think). These last are probably the true eggs of the Blanding tortoise but as to the others I fear I, boy fashion, was in too much of a hurry and made a blunder. Of the seven eggs found all were destroyed except the ones sent you. Next year I will try to decide this matter.
I shall never cease to regret that I did not spend more time at Zoology this summer. I had a great deal too much to do and my specimens were not properly cared for and got injured. Several of the snakes were quite spoiled. I'll do better next time. I mean to get several people in South Illinois to collect for me next summer.
Nov. 11th, 1855
Yours of Nov. 3 is just recd. I am very sorry indeed that the box of living reptiles did not reach you. And after so long a time has elapsed I fear they are entirely lost. Tomorrow I will try to learn something about the matter - today being Sunday. I think I know why they did not go through. When I carried the last lot of things to the Express office they refused to take them unless pre-paid saying they had orders to receive nothing unpaid for the Smith. Inst. They said something about your having refused to take and pay for some articles sent.Dec. 9th, 1855 West Northfield
I have been very sick for several days. Had an attack of cholera morbus on top of a hard fever. Else I should have written sooner about that express business. I have at different times delivered packages at both offices in Chicago for you, viz, the "American and United States Express Cos." Until this fall they have never made any objection to sending things without prepayment. The reptiles and marmot were delivered on Saturday night (Oct. 13th) at the office of the United States Express Co., H. D. Colvin, agent in Chicago. I sent them by their express wagon which however was at the time employed by the R. R. Co. for other work. On Monday I went to the Express office and inquired of one of the clerks when the thing would be sent. And upon making inquiry at the express yesterday I was cooly told that my reptiles had been killed. They said they never sent anything considered valueless unless it was prepaid. And as I had not done so, after keeping the reptiles a few days they killed them all. The clerk of whom I inquired (at the time I last saw them at the express office) when they would go did not tell me of this rule because he said he supposed I had already prepaid them. The marmot had been taken home by one of the office hands and this I have got and send today. They make me pay $3.30 express charges. Is that not too high? At the office of the other company (line missing) and would let me have it. Among the reptiles lost were eight or ten rattlesnakes, one real bull snake (so said Dr. Hoy), several queer black and other snakes from south Illinois, a Kirtland snake, 2 Regina grahamii and a large lot of Storerias, Eutania, Nerodias, etc., and 8 or 10 tortoises, 4 Blandings, a box tortoise and a specimen of the long toed variety of Emys picta. The rest were all E. picta. It was probably the best lot I ever got up. I most regret the loss of the southern snakes, one of which Dr. Hoy considered new. I am angry enough to hope you will be able to cause Mr. Colvin to hear bright particular thunder. Remember this happened at the office of the United States Express Co., H. D. Colvin agent, in Chicago.I have no complaint to make against Mr. Fargo, agent of the American Express Co., except that the clerk answered me without making any mention of its being necessary to prepay. Mr. Colvin (the agent) says he saw me in the office himself on Monday, but said nothing to me, supposing I had made arrangements about pre-paying the things. He told me that they never forwarded articles considered worthless unless prepaid. And one of the messengers was allowed to take home the marmot. He said one of the snakes got out of the box and gave them a great fright. Perhaps this might have been the case, especially if anyone took the trouble to break a hole into the box. But the box was certainly quite secure when taken to the office, a part of the top being covered with stout wire gauze. I had made it more secure on account of some small Storerias included. Mr. Colvin also said he made enquires for me. I think he didn't enquire very particularly, however, as my uncle, Dr. Kennicott's office is only about six doors from the express office. My uncle has also received packages from them several times this year. The box really did contain several rattlesnakes, though they did not know it, I think, as they were securely tied up in the bag. The man who has the marmot brought it to the Express office but refused to let me have it unless I would pay him $2 for keeping it. This I reported and Mr. Colvin told him $1 was enough.
Jan. 9th, 1856 Chicago
You ask what to send to Dr. Holbrook. I have already sent him Emys picta, C. blandingii of turtles. Of salamanders Ambystoma lurida. No miniatus and H. seutatum. Of snakes 3 Eutanias, 2 Storerias - rattlesnakes, Green snake, Nerodia sipedon and a poor specimen of Regina Grahamii. If you can spare them I would like him to have a Kirtland's snake, a good spec. of R. Grahamii and any of the other snakes you can spare after letting me have a spec. labeled. (I don't want a specimen of either R. Grahamii or Kirtland's snake for myself as I know them both quite well. Please send him as good a lot of fishes as possible. First by all means keep what you want yourself, then let me have labeled specimens of such reptiles as you have not already given me the names of, (as I only want them to learn the names from) and then let Dr. Holbrook have of such as I have not already sent him. Unless you have already done so, do not send anything to De Filipi as Dr. Fitch says it is very doubtful whether I ever get any return from him. I am in hopes Dr. Holbrook will send me his "Herpetology" if he don't forget it. And perhaps the receipt of the specimens would remind him of his promise. Please let me know when you send, as I want to write him.Jan. 31st, 1856 ______
Apropos of Bloomington, did I tell you how very abundant the glass snakes were there? I was astonished at the stories told of their numbers. I went out one day to try to get some and though it was cloudy and cold I saw three in walking half a mile but got none. Had it been a sunny day my companion informed me I might have seen twenty in that time. This was on the prairie at some distance from any timber.March 11th, 1856 West Northfield
I have just received the expected collection from Pearl River, Miss. It consists of a dozen or so reptiles, about as many beetles and four or five mammals. It is small but interesting to me and maybe to you. There are two squirrel skins with skulls, a young mouse and a small mammal like perhaps the same, but I merely glanced at it. There are a young Crotalophorus milarus, 2 spec. of Ophibolus Sayi, 2 spec of what I suppose to be Elaps fulvius (one may be a different species of Elaps - is quite small), a spec. of Septophis destious, several Nerodias and some small ones I can't decide on. There are four lizards - the blue tailed skink, the gray skink, I got in South Illinois, one which from memory looks like Holbrook' s plate of Ameiva sexlineata and another like Anolis carolinensis (I wish to ask while I think of it if there was not a tailless specimen of Scincus lateralis in my South Illinois collection.) There are also several frogs, crayfish, and a couple of fishes, also several shells. On the whole I think my cousin (Miss Helen Tennisson of Monticello, Miss.) has done pretty well for a beginning but I must get her to do still more this summer. I shall send these specimens with some others I have to you this week probably. I shall keep one specimen of Ophiholus Sayi (as both are alike) and give it to Dr. Hoy. Keep such of the reptiles as you like and return me named such as you can spare. I am anxious to enlarge my labeled collection, especially of reptiles and insects as much as possible that I may be enabled to study them to the best advantage in their living state by having named specimens by which to identify each species. When you return me some of the South Illinois reptiles, they with what I have learned the names of already will make me "up to" our most common reptiles.Shall I send Agassiz some turtles through the S.I. early next spring? Though we shall all be up to our necks in mud and work I shall be able to get a good many specimens early in the spring.
April 27th, 1856
Got a nice young Blanding tortoise the other day. June 2nd, 1856 Yours of May 24 is just received. I am much obliged to plan for cases for my cabinet and shall have them made as you advise. I got another specimen of Regina kirtlandii a day or two since. I shall send it to Dr. Holbrook, so don't send him any of the specimens I sent you.I will send you some living reptiles as soon as I can get hold of some striped spermophiles to send too. I have not yet had as much leisure as usual -- our spring work hangs on longer than usual. Got three fine Regina grahamii the other day. I have got two long-toed Emys turtles as well as some short toed ones. Wonder if the former variety is the E.______ Agassiz tells about.
June 16th, 1856
I have got two species, I think, of Emys. I will send you these with some snakes, etc. as soon as I get a little time to hunt some more. I observed that Coluber eximus keeps very much about old logs in the woods. Eutania Proxima is a water snake. I generally find it about sloughs, and when alarmed it always takes to the water and dives like Nerodia or Regina. If even several rods from the water it always makes for it. Eutania radix is also much about the water. The latter is our most abundant snake.I sent Dr. Holbrook a specimen of Regina kirtlandii with some other living reptiles the other day. Dr. Kirtland drums me up about sending him (Dr. Holbrook) specimens. I especially stipulated when I accepted his book that I should only send him specimens when I could do so conveniently. So I shan't fret myself now nor send those I want for you. Have you sent him any of may last summer's collection yet?
July 11th, 1856 West Northfield
I want if possible to write some articles on reptiles at our farmers! It is disgraceful that so much ignorance and prejudice exists on this subject among a community called intelligent! I told a farmer the other day not to kill the green and garter snakes in his fields as they would eat the insects. He laughed in great scorn and wanted to know "who had ever heard of a snake eating an insect," adding that he knew if I didn't that snakes lived on frogs and by biting people! Asked him how a snake little larger than a pipe stem could swallow a frog even if there had not been more snakes than frogs as was the case in his fields. He said he had never thought of that. Farmers kill off the small snakes with as much zeal as did Harris' old lady the accinellae that were "eating up her plants."Now I should place our garter snakes and green snakes among the animals most useful to the farmer after the birds. They feed upon those insects which the birds often cannot get at. Rattlesnakes destroy immense numbers of mice. They are huge feeders and I never opened one that did not have the remains of mice in his stomach. (I think rattlesnakes take their prey mostly at night. Have not yet sufficient proof of this but believe it to be so. They move about much by night, I am certain.) Water snakes are probably not as useful at any time and those that frequent rivers can do little good. At this season of the year those -- at least the smaller ones -- snakes that do not keep around the water must live entirely upon insects as frogs are not to be found. What is you opinion as to all this? I may over-rate the usefulness of these snakes but there is certainly no just cause why the smaller ones at least should be so persecuted. Why is it that no naturalist has ever defended the snakes? If I finally keep to my present opinion after more careful examination I shall try to write some articles on our snakes, taking up the cudgel in their defense to the best of my ability. Please tell me what you think about the usefulness of snakes.
Aug. 3rd, 1856 _____
Dr. Hoy thinks the garter snakes live mostly upon tadpoles. This is so during midsummer with most of them, though sirtalis sometimes is found all the time on high land miles from water. It is also true that E. proxima is not much good, if any, in killing insects on land, at least as he is certainly a water snake. E. radix likes water better that sirtalis but only keeps about the sloughs in midsummer when they are nearly dry and the tadpoles easily caught.I have asked several persons in the neighborhood on whom I can rely, to examine the stomachs of snakes they kill. A neighbor told me today that he examined a green snake's stomach yesterday which contained many of the hairy caterpillars. These, birds will not often eat, I think. In sending reptiles to the Boston Society I thought I would write short notes on the habits of each species sent.
Sept. 8th, 1856 _____
What reptiles shall I send you next month? I have lately got another specimen of Regina kirtlandii, so you need not send one to Boston as I before asked you to.Nov. 14th, 1856 _____
Mr. Guy Cutting now in Chicago says he found in Lake Champlain a large four-legged reptile (from his description like Menobranchus) which you called a salamander. What was it, do you remember?April 17th, 1857 Anna, Union Co., Illinois
It is snowing like fun here this morning! Poor time for my work. I got several species of salamanders and two snakes (worm snake and little yellow-bellied fellow) yesterday. I have part of them alive and think of sending them to you with some others alive.I believe you told me not to send living reptiles after a certain date -- what it was I have now forgotten. How is it? Shall I send living specimens at all?
April 29th, 1857 Anna, Union Co.
(missing) bring me any poisonous snakes besides that and the rattlesnake... of course the snakes "come in some".Went to the hills yesterday, offered a prize to the boy that got the best collection. Among other things we brought home a shrew, an Arvicola, found three copperheads, a half a dozen species of snakes, as many of salamanders, a Hyla pickeringii, .... I remarked to the boys that I would show them the length of a copperhead's teeth -- I was carrying one alive in a snake bag intending to skin it. I took him out and holding him by the neck so he could not hurt me possibly I held him till he opened his ugly mouth and showed his fangs I once before scared off a bully with a harmless snake. Comical weapons!
Now as to this snake -- I am actually in doubt as to whether 'tis not really a moccasin! They are found on logs over the water and pop into the water when alarmed! Are easily caught and very sluggish. I found two yesterday among the rocks on a hillside. I find the Y shaped mark on some and the labials do not enter into the orbit, but I make 11 plates on the head. In a few days I'll send you a half dozen specimens with a large lot of other specimens.
May 16th, 1857 Union Co.
Now I fancy I am doing better at other things considering the little time I can give them. Among reptiles I got here in the bottoms Hyla pickeringii, Regina _____ , a half dozen or dozen species of salamanders, a dozen specimens of Foxicophus, whether piscivorus is yet to be seen. I wrote you 'twas a copperhead. I have never seen a copperhead so did not remark the color then a hasty glance. Now I know it 'tis not that. Neither does it quite hit Foxicophus piscivorus. It is aquatic. On the belly of the specimen which had recently shed it's skin were tints of salmon color or brick red! I am not sure I've not got on a new species - if so 'tis _____ . It is common here. Will it not exchange well? I've offered a dime apiece for it.June 10th, 1857 New Madrid, Mo.
I found a copperhead snake here, the first I have ever seen.(no date) 1857 West Northfield?
Samuel Arny sent me from Kansas several snakes and a lizard which looks like Tropidolepus and has transverse bars of red on the back.July 31st, 1857 St. Paul, Minnesota
He (Mr. Cavalier) brought to St. Pauls two years since a bottle with some reptiles -- two kinds of frogs -- a salamander and a lizard but they have not sent on. I got him to go with me to ask if they had been kept, when to my delight I found them in good condition. I'll send them on or take them this fall. I am in my own cart -- got a lizard and snake and frog that I don't know already.Aug. 18th, 1857 Town of Breckenridge on Red River at the mouth of the Sioux Wood River.
Eutania radix common and of immense size -- E. sirtalis (with red spots between scales) very abundant above St. Pauls, less numerous on the prairie out here.Sept. 2nd, 1858 West Northfield
I. A. Lapham has a fine little Diadophis punctatus from Waukesha, Wis!Oct. 18th ____ Buffalo, New York
I stopped some time with Dr. Kirtland. Have much to tell about him. He gave me another one of those curious snakes (?) from Florida like Amphisboena.May 23rd, 1859 Height of land between Lake Superior and Rainy Lake.
Today was very warm and I got a lot of diptera, several species of Hyla and Rana and have found a salamander or two (Spelerpes).Sept. 24th, 1863 West Northfield
I think you told me Dr. Mitchell, the toxicologist, would like some living rattlesnakes. I've got a good big C. tergeminus and my brother in southern Illinois has three more living ones for me. What shall I do with 'em? John Woodworth brought me from Vicksburg four living green lizards (Anolis?). Wonder if Cope would like 'em?Oct. 20th, 1863 West Northfield
I have one large prairie rattlesnake living and my brother in central Illinois has three. You once said Mr. Toxicologist Mitchell would perhaps like some living specimens of C. tergeminus and so I've kept them. Are they wanted alive? If not, they'd better be put in alcohol soon.April 3rd, 1865 Nicaragua Transit Co.'s Office, San Juan del Norte (off Graytown)
I shall try to send back a box by this steamer -- or at least by the next. We have a lot of pretty fair things. Can't work much though -- too hot. I send from Mr. Holland a poisonous snake like the African Cerastes -- not a rattlesnake! Nor Copperhead or moccasin. It is certainly generally different from any snake I've ever seen from North America. Pray ask Cope to call it ? Hollandi if new.April 19th, 1865 Steamer America off Cape St. Lucas, California.
We got a few reptiles and insects on the upper San Juan.Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank Steve Swanson, Director of The Grove, for loan of transcriptions of the Kennicott letters and for reviewing part of the manuscript; and Mike Dloogatch for comments on nomenclature.Literature Cited
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