SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
August 6, 1940. 
Dr. Vfaldo L. Schmitt, 
Curator of Marine Invertebrates, 
U. S. National Museum. 
Through: Dr. L. Stejneger. 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
In accorda,nce with arrangements made with the Fish 
and Vyild Life Service of the Department of the Interior, 
you are hereby given detail on or about August 15, 1940 
to assist that organization in biological investigations 
of the king crab, in connection vjith the economic 
utilization of this important species. Your work virill be 
concerned with field studies in the north Pacific and 
Bering Sea area. 
All travel expenses concerned with this investigation 
will be borne bv the Fish and T^ild Life Service, the 
National Museum being responsible only for your salary. 
Under our agreement you are to have opportunity to 
make biological collections of value to the U. S. National 
Museuiii^ the specimens to come to us here in YJasiilngton^ D.C. 
You are made available for this v/ork in order that you 
may train other investigators for the Fish and bild Life 
Service to carry on studies in the future. 
It is contemjjlated that this detail will terminate 
about December 1 Virhen you will return to your official station 
at Imshington^ D.C. 
Please keep me informed of the progress of j^our work 
as it develops. With my best vlshes for your success^ I am 
