In view of the turn things have seemed to take 
I have been at loss just what to write you or Dr. 
Merriaa* I hesitate to place him in what might be an 
embarrassing situation, for there is more than just 
uncertainty about the possibility of going to Tortugas 
in addition to My South American "excursion”. In fact 
I have had strong Intimations that any desire to spend 
more time in the field than necessitated by my South 
American problem would be received with extreme 
disfavor. 
Hence I have prepared a letter which I first 
submit to you for your approval , before transmitting it 
to Dr. Merriam. What I would like to write under the 
circumstances is quite another matter , and as I have 
said in my letter to him I sincerely hope that the way 
things have gone will not militate against continuing 
work at Tortugas at some future date* 
Even in my absence I feel that I can be of 
some help to you if you will only bottle, in 75^ 
alcohol, your fish stomach contents. I could do 
considerable in determining the crustacean remains 
at least here at the Museum* 
