McConnaughney, James 
AIR MIL October 3, 19$6 
Mr. James McConnaughey 
14*0$ Belco Bell load 
Dayton 9, Ohio 
Dear Mr. McConnaughey: 
The Smithsonian is hoping to conduct a little biological survey 
of the marine invertebrate fauna of the Society Islands. There are 
quite a number of the lower forms of animal life that have not been 
subject to intensive systematic study, and among them are the fleshy 
and little flower -like animals known as sea anemones , also the Crus- 
tacea, the shrimps and crabs of their relatives. Though well-known 
from the islands by their commoner species , they must be present 
through the reefs and along the shores of the several islands that 
have not yet been discovered or closely studied. It is our hope to 
put a specialist on sea anemones and one interested in Crustacea in 
the islands this next April and May if we can find - a charter boat 
for a period of about six weeks. I have written in various directions 
to locate one that might be available in the islands between the l*th 
of April and the 18th of May. In the course of my correspondence , I 
was so fortunate as to get in touch with Er. Jack Randall of the Yacht 
MAUI, who is making a study of the reef fishes. He suggested that you 
might be willing to charter your yacht , the KAREVA, to us for that 
period. 
The Smithsonian party will consist in all of five people, a 
photographer, a recorder, and general assistant, the marine biologists 
mentioned above, one for Crustacea, the other for the coelenterates, 
and perhaps also a botanist whose chief interest is ferns. That part 
of t he plant life on the higher islands or the higher parts of the 
several islands has been little studied, and it is believed that there 
too we can obtain a lot of valuable scientific information. 
I hope that my writing to you comes in an opportune time and that 
you may be able to let us have the use of your yacht for the period 
specified. If possible, will you not quote me a charter fee and also 
tell me what it would include? Any assistance or suggestions that you 
could give us would be keenly appreciated. It is very difficult for 
us here in Washington to make arrangements so far afield , and there- 
fore, I would be all the more grateful to you for whatever help you 
could extend us. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo L. Schmitt 
Head Curator 
Department of Zoology 
WLS leek 
