SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON 25. D. C. 
April 1, 1957 
AIR Mft.IL 
Dr. Wald® L. Schmitt 
o/o Smithsonian- Sredin Expedition 
Yacht "Mareva" 
Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
Thank you for keeping us informed of your progress. Needless 
to say, none of your glowing accounts of the trip that would make 
a normal individual green with envy have altered my feeling of sat- 
isfaction at being left behind . 
I did not reply to your letter from Chicago as there seemed to 
be nothing worth reporting. I called Mr. Oehser about the possibi- 
lity of including the color shot of the megalops at Pigeon Island, 
and he said that nothing could be done at this time about changing 
the material included in the article; it is now in the printer’s 
hands. He felt that we might be dissatisfied with the proofs of 
some of the black and white photographs, and we might then decide 
to make some substitutions. I doubt that we will succeed in get- 
ting any color into the story without your forceful backing here, 
but we will do what seems best. Mr. Oehser said that it would b® 
impossible for an individual to contribute to the cost of such a 
plate. I know how you dislike the word "impossible” but I am merely 
reporting his comment. Unfortunately, the proofs will probably nave 
to be turned in long before your return, if the printer fulfills his 
promises • 
Your letter of Maroh 28 arrived from Honolulu this morning 
(April 1), together with an announcement from the K®tt.s of the birth 
of a boy on March 10. Your concern about the interim collecting 
manual is unjustified. I called Mr. Oehser again about that matter, 
and he confirmed my belief that the stencils will be cut by his staff 
We sent our copy directly to him last week. I have talked with Dr. 
Johnson, Dr. Friedmann, and Miss Kran about this, and all agree that 
the parts on the birds and reptiles should be sent to Oehser imme- 
diately. Dave Johnson said that they should complete the draft of 
the mammal section shortly, and Miss Kran tells me that Joe Morrison 
promises to do the same for the mollusks. Mr. Oehser said that tne 
job would have to be done somewhat sporadically, so I would guess 
that progress from now on would be as rapid as practicable. 
