My Dear Mr. Hirase : 



I am, indeed, glad to learn that you have ready for the 

 press a Monograph on Japanese Terebrida^. It is now over thirty years 

 since I began to see that Japan was wonderfully rich in undescribed 

 forms of Molluscau Life. How abiuidant were tiie specimens for study ! 

 How scarce, far away, and high in price, the literature covering this 

 field ! By dint of great effort and after long waiting 1 did secure a 

 copy of Dunker's Index etc. 



Could I have timed my residence in Japan, bringing it 

 into these recent years, how much greater would have been my enjoy- 

 ment of it along these lines ! 



During all these years of your activity it has been a real 

 joy to watch from afar the results of your painstaking, faiihful, and 

 costly explorations. It has been your good fortune to make numerous 

 and surprising discoveries. These you have generously described to the 

 world in words and illustrations. 



On further thought I am not giving myself up to selfish 

 regrets over what I failed to find in Japan in the way of learning 

 about her Molluscau Fauna, but rather, I am full of thankfulness for 

 what you have been able to accomplish. 



I believe that a very large number of Conchologists in 

 America, in Europe, in fact, wherever interest is taken in this branch 

 of Nature Study, feel under great obligation to you for your services to 

 them and to the cause of Science. 



May I also express my sincere thanks that the Marquis 

 Tokugawa is expressing in tangible form his appreciation and interest 

 in your work. This is commendable in him and encouraging to you. 

 As you already know, this is something that I have long desired to 

 see. May this be but the beginning of good things for 3'ou in this 

 line. The consciousness of having wrought a good work for your people 

 must bring you unspeakable satisfaction. But the worn toiler needs 

 outside supiwrt. I am convinced that, as the educated people of Japan 

 become better acquainted with your work, they will make haste to help 

 you, wherever they can, in sharing its pecuniary burdens ! 



