Transcribe Lucas, Fred A. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1883-02-13)

The question is how soon do you wish the Osteological Catalogue? Just at present I am of course busy with your article and with S. A. T. business. Still I could do something if not much before the show, and once the affair is over I would have my entire time unless they give me some drawing to do at the Museum. Have just finished a cut of Antelope skull for them and it may not unlikely lead to quite a series. I think that perhaps the general plan we discussed wiuld do for the arrangement of the Catalogue; that is to take the School Series as a basis and follow the species which leads in it with those representing other orders, much as Owen does in his Anatomy. Some things about the fish should be cha^n^ged a little as Dr. Gill printed out, but as he did not tear the thing to pieces I presume in the main it is fair. To sum up before April 20th - unless H. has changed the date of Exhibition - you can have desultory work, after that time so far as I can see you shall have prompt work and as efficient as lays in my power. For the Deviousness and business manner of it I don't think you can complain. In my present frame of mind I am doing all possible to follow the advice received by the man who wrote to an advertisement </s apr > how to get rich and received the reply "work like hell and don't spend a cent". Physical laziness prevents me from doing the former - although I stick