(Copy.)

New Haven, Conn., Sept. 20th, 1894.

H. F. Wells, Esq.

Dear sir :-

I haven't returned from my vacation, although I was gone somewhat longer than I expected. I wrote you just before I started about the arrangements I was making in Washington, to dispose of the specimens I do not care to keep myself, and I think we shall be able to make a satisfactory arrangement. First of all, however, I should like to close up our account for all the specimens you collected and sent to me before July 1st.

You sent me, at my request, a general estimate of what you thought they were worth, and I wrote you at once that the prices were much too high. I made this statement in consideration of the prices I have paid Stillwell in a half a dozen separate purchases, for specimens which you had collected and cleaned up ready for sale. I also judged somewhat from the prices I had paid others for similar specimens from the same region. For instance, I bought two Hyapotamus skulls of Stillwell, rather small but in good condition, paying $5 for one and $8 for the other; I bought two others in Chadron for $5 each, and both were good. I paid Brown $5 for the first Protoceras skull ever found, the one I figured. I have bought hundreds of other specimens, from other parties, at similar rates.

(2)

I mention all this now to remind you that I ought to know
about the value of all such specimens, but not as an exact guide
for our present transaction. The specimens you have sent me are
from a new horizon, and, although most of them are in poor pre-
servation and fragmentary, every one is of some interest to me,
and that was the reason I got you the pass and arranged to have
you send me everything you collected. I wish to do the fair
thing by you and establish a scale of prices satisfactory, if
possible, to us both, as I much prefer to have you send me the
things directly from the field, in the rock, rather than to buy
of Stillwell after you have cleaned them up. This ought to be
better for us both.

I have today looked over every specimen you sent me that
you collected before July 1st, and made notes on each so as to
estimate its value. I, of course, estimate them much higher
because they are from a new horizon, which increases the value
of some of them several times. Adding these all together amounts
to about $300. According to my account, I have sent you in all
$350, of which $20 was for your expenses in securing the pass. I
am willing to call everything square for the fossils collected
up to July 1st and sent to me by mail, express or freight. If
you bear in mind what I have already said in this letter and our
original agreement that the price was to be left to me, I think
you will be satisfied and convinced that I have done the right
thing.

(3)

The nine boxes you sent from Phinney by freight and the small box sent by express from Sturgis have all arrived in good order, and I have looked over some of the specimens. The one marked "Male Protoceras" is correctly labeled, and that is the first true Protoceras I have seen in your collection, I mean the first one with a horn; it is only a fragment of the front of the skull. I hope to find some more Protoceras in these boxes or in the next you send me, as that is what I want most of all. I will look over the others very soon and write you about them.

Meanwhile, I wish you would write me an estimate of the different specimens, each and all, in these boxes sent by freight and express. I cannot take them all, but I wish to get you a good purchaser for the others if possible, and the sooner we fix a price the better. If I can dispose of them as I wrote you, in Washington, it will be a good beginning and may help you out another season, when the Government will be likely to do much more for science than this year.

As you may need some money, I enclose a check for $100, which please acknowledge when received.

Did you get my letter dated Sept. 1st and sent to Phinney ?

Yours very truly,

2248

Box 11. - Rhinoceros skull, large; one side weathered, $20.00
" " nasal detached, 25.00
Horse skull, 6.00
Eleutherium part of young jaws, 8.00
Total $59.00

1

Box 12. - Hyopotamus skull, with some bones, $20.00
" " back showing, 25.00
" " part of skull, with double premolar, 15.00
" " jaws, with incisors, 12.00
Rhinoceros skull, not very good shape, 15.00
Eleutherium front of jaws, 8.00
Horse skull, poor, 5.00
Total $100.00

11

Box 13. - Eleutherium part of jaws, large, $25.00
Rhinoceros skull, 15.00
Hyopotamus " in 4 pieces, 15.00
Total $55.00

214,