STANDARD FORM NO. 64 
Office Memorandum 
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 
TO 
Dr. Harald Rehder, Dr. Waldo Schmitt 
DATE: 11 , 1957 
from : F. R. Fosberg 
subject: Observations desired on Society Islands corax atolls (ana 
coral atolls visited) 
•ny other 
As you are well aware the Pacific Science Board has been carrying 
on a program of investigations on coral atolls, leading to a general 
ecological study. The rugge of our interests are indicated by the papers 
that have apt) ear dd in the Atoll Research Bulletin, and by trie hano. bo ok which 
is no. 17 of the same Bulletin. My own most active interest is in the 
portions of the atolls above nigh tide and it is unis aspect thc&t X wouid 
like to have any special notes that it may be convenient for you to maize. 
We have relatively xittle information on the live coral atolls in the 
Society Group — Tetiaroa, Tubai, Mopihaa, Fenua Ura, and Bellingshausen. 
Any specimens of land biota — plan t s and animals, as well as notes Oxi the 
extent of coconut plantations, existence of consolidated rock above nigh 
tide level, existence of fresh or brackish water marshes or ponds, character 
of the substratum — sandy , $ gravelly, or bouldery , existence and position 
of boulder ridges, general aspect of vegetation, abundance and kinds Oi. 
sea birds end rookeries, existence of groves 01 Puna trees (Pisonia grandis) , 
if so, the existence of brown phosphate rock beneath them, correlation 
this with bird rookeries. If suspected phosphate rock xs found it v.l — 1 ue 
composed of white grains cemented together by a brown , cement, it should be ^ 
noted whether It is overlain by a dark muck or leaf -mold, and a. specimen ox 
the rock brought. 
Prints of any photos 
the reefs, wound be “welcome 
high islands. 
taken of atolls* either of the land features or of 
ujl yx awj wxiwa.. w-. - ~ — 
Also any photos showing vegetation, even of 
X hose that the enclosed copy of the report oi trie Hang ar e van Expedition 
will be of help in your planning. Also I hope that your trip may ue as 
interesting and productive as was the Hangar even Expedition. 
