COPY 
DEPARTMENT OP COMMERCE 
Bureau of Pi sheri es 
Washington 
December 7. 1932 
In reply refer to 800 
Dr. Waldo L. Schmitt 
U. S. National Museum 
Washington, D. C* 
Dear Schmi tt : 
Sometime ago I told you of a proposed publication on the fishes 
of the western North Atlantic. Since that time rather definite plans 
have been formulated. The work is to cover the vast area reaching from 
Hudson Bay to the mouth of the Amazon , from the shores (brackish water) 
to a depth of about 100 fathoms. 
It is proposed to give a full synonymy for each species, 
references to publications containing useful information, a description, 
a summary of the life history and rather complete statements of its 
distribution. It is hoped, also that an illustration for each species 
can be given. Keys for all groups will be introduced. 
Although the Sears Foundation of Yale University will bear 
the cost of publication and incidentals, the work is to be done by 
volunteers. Professor A. E. Parr, who is in charge of the Foundation, 
Mr. John Tee Van of the New York Zoological Society, Mr. Charles M. 
Breder of the New York Aquarium, Mr. William C. Schroeder of the Museum 
of Comparative Zoology, Mr. Henry Sears, the benefactor, and the writer 
constituted themselves an organizing committee, and each one has assumed 
an extensive responsibility, either as business manager or in an edi- 
torial capacity. Various ichthyologists either have been or will be 
requested to prepare manuscript on groups with which they are especial- 
ly familiar. It is hoped in that way to avoid placing too much work 
on any one person, and. to hasten the completion offthe publication. 
It is understood that we wish to make this work as compre- 
hensive as possible. Though the fauna of the Atlantic Coast, at least 
as far south as Mexico and the West Indies., is fairly well known, there 
is great need of collections from the northeastern coast of South Amer- 
ica, or from the Amazon to Panama. I know of the desire you long have 
