SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON. D. C. 20560 
Regarding formaldehyde, the trips have been taking an nmisually large number 
of alcoholics and a running through the formaldehyde supply like a dose of salts, 
I now have exactly six bottles in stock. Let me know when you plan to ship some 
so I’ll be able to decide whether or not to buy some out here because it takes 
three to four weeks (in some cases) to obtain such items. If prices are comparable 
I'll order some from out here and then m.aintain my own stock on this item, I'd 
appreciate a short note on this very soon so I'll be able to order (if necessary) 
and get it here before the trip leaving tomorrow A.M. returns. 
I can use all of the cotton of the type you sent out - as much of it as you 
want to send. Quite a few of the people have expressed a preference for this 
type of cotton "for everything from stuffing to wrapping specimens. I'll have to 
admit that the small roll takes up a lot less storage space than the big batts do. 
It will take me about three days to dig out from under the confusion and mess 
that the whirlwind arrival and departure of the last trip has created. The mess is 
the product of a number of people doing umpteen different things in my little ware¬ 
house space. Rusted repairs outboard motors (sis at a ttime) and takes up a considerable 
amount of space. Several other people were doing records, some were checking specimens, 
others were skinning specimens and on top of it I was trying to pack gear for the 
trip. It got awful crowded in here for about six days. On top of it all everything 
is an ungodly mess. 
Regards, 
