Dear  Captain: —

Dr.  Brewer  was  taken  sick  the  day  he  expected  to  start,  and  did
not  go.  He  will  be  along  at  Norfolk  some  time  this  week.  Much
obliged  for  the  preparations  and  prospects  in  regard  to  Fish.  I  doubt
not  of  finding  many  nice  things  among  your  collections.  Get  the
marine  devils  by  all  means.  The  fact  in  regard  to  the  poisonous
nature  of  star-fish  is  very  interesting  if  true.  Please  make  further
inquiry  and  verify  it.     .     ..
Sincerely  yours,    *

S.  F.  Baird.
The  delinquent  members  of  the  American  Association
caused  the  Treasurer  and  Permanent  Secretary  much
trouble  and  some  pecuniary  loss.  The  following  letter
from  the  former  explains  the  situation:

From  Dr.  A.  L.  Eltvyn  to  Spencer  F.  Baird.
Phila.  June  10,  1852.
My  dear  Professor: —

I  sent  to  you,  two  days  ago,  a  list  of  those  who  had  not  paid.
I  find  my  situation  a  very  uncomfortable  one,  exposing  me  to
much  inconvenience  and  some  insult,  but  I  bear  it  as  well  as  I  can.
The  idea  seems  to  have  got  into  men's  heads  that  they  were  never  to
be  called  on  for  any  payment.  Many  have  intimated  this.  .  ..
I  ask  what  means  of  support  has  the  Association  but  by  these  annual
payments.
H seemed  to  think  only  those  who  attended  were  to  be

called  on.    I  put  it  to  him,  how  could  it  be  expected,  that  one  hun-

8  David  Glascow  Farragut,  Admiral  U.  S.  N.,  the  hero  of  Mobile
Bay;  born  near  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  July  5,  1801,  died  Aug.  14,
1870.
