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2/ last week we had the biggest flood of scientific men ever known. No less than 21 scientific societies met here between
Christmas and New Years, and the register shows that about 1350 persons came to the meetings. Many stayed to look around see
the sights, and some to do a little work, after the meeting, so we are hardly yet recovered. Tomorrow I go to New York and
Brooklyn to lecture, as every little helps . Dr. Jordan was here yesterday. Have had hard luck with photographs since my return,
not having found anyone who will make good prints. Am just trying 2 new men and hope for better results. As soon as I get
a man who will do good work I will have your prints made. Please tell Helen we all are anxious to know which story she likes
best and which she thinks funniest. The Merriam family is divided into 3 or 4 parts on this momentous question. My oldest
boy, John C. Merrian of Berkeley, 3/ has been here some time studying his California cane? bones in comparison with specimens
in our collections. About half are indistinguishable from living species (rabbits, foxes, bobcats, woodrats c) while among
the others are types as different as mast illegible Arst illegible - and all from the same cane? We hope that Mrs. Muir has
shaken off the last of her rheumati illegible , that Helen is not growing thin over the senerity of her professors, that Wanda
has abstained from falling in love with this Philosopher , and that the serene dignity of the head of the Muir family will
never again be led so far astray as to review another book. With illegible es of thanks from all the way up down the Merriam
family for the 'interior decorations' from California, and with continued deferred hopes that