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consulting them, nor can I send my assistants, who have other necessary work to perform. The absence of the catalogues has thus far greatly impeded my operations, and I am not prepared to undertake any extensive literary work hereafter unless a set of catalogues is placed at my disposition. I hope you will give this matter due consideration, and come to a speedy decision. Smithsonian Institution, Dec. 2, 1882. [[signed]] Professor S. F. Baird. [[signed]] [[signed]] C. Rau [[/signed]] Curator