April 13, 1939 
Lieut. -Comar. Thomas J. Kelly, TJ.S.N, 
U.S.S. HOUSTON 
c/o Postmaster 
Norfolk, Virginia 
Dear Mr. Kelly? 
I wish to acknowledge your letter of March 26th and your invitation to 
him to visit the ship. He is now with an expedition working along the 
coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. They also expect to visit Trinidad 
and perhaps other islands of that region. He will return direct from 
the Canal Zone by passenger ship about the middle of next month. 
I know that he very much wants to take his family on board 
the HOUSTON . Since he will not return in time tfc visit you at Norfolk, 
I feel quite sure that be will take the family to New York to see you 
if it is at all possible. 
The Museum will be very glad to receive the specimens you 
speak of. You could send them up at your convenience. Perhaps the beat 
way of shipping the fish would be to solder them in a tin container of 
alcohol If they are small enough for that. Otherwise, if they are large 
would it be much trouble for you to ship thtei in dry ice? I am sorry 
that I know so little about fish. Our Curator of Fishes is algo away 
on an expedition, and so 1 am unable to consult with him about what is 
best. If you have the space in your refrigerator, perhaps you could 
just leave them there until you are in New York, at which time Dr. 
Schmitt could advise you. 
of Dr. Schmitt, who is away on an expedition, 
Very truly yours. 
Secretary to Dr. Schmitt 
