SCHWEIZ. TROPENINSTITUT, BASEL 
institut tropical SUISSE, BALE Basle, December 8th 194-8• 
SOCINSTRASSE 57 TEL. 26266 
Mr. W.M. M a n n. Director 
Smithsonian Institution 
National Zoological Park 
Washington 9, B.C. 
My dear Mr. Mann, 
I was realy very pleased and at the same time 
feeled very honoured when receiving first the announcement of 
the membership to the "National Geographic Magazine' 1 due to your 
kind intervention and to get your last edition "Ant Hill Gdysdey". 
The "Geographic Magazine" is now every month a great pleasure to 
me like "Parks and Recreation" and I enjoy both during leisurely 
hours. 
Concerning the "Odyssey" I was- I have to say 
it - very astonished and at the same time amused to learn of 
your first experiences as an entomologist, how you left home and 
were turned down at the Circus t The descriptions of your different 
journies to South America and Australia are not only instructive 
but also very thrilling. The whole book is written so fluently 
and I enjoyed its reading enormously. Making your acquaintance 
In Washington I always thought you had something of a gipsy; in 
follo?jing the story of your boyhood and early life I found my 
impression stated. Please accept my best thanks for having sent 
me your book, I appreciated every page of it. 
Concerning the Zoo in Basle we have now a 
young gorilla of about 1 year old, who is in excellent health and 
plays with his shimpanese companion. I brought him by train from 
Paris, packed in a wooden-case on a hot water bottle. 
I do hope your knee is doing alright again. 
Again my hearthiest thanks for your kindness in supplying me with 
that interesting Zoological Gardens book, looking so well in its 
binding on my book shelf; the "National Geographic Magazine" and 
the amusing "Ant Hill Odyssey". 
Please give my best regards to Mrs. Mann. I 
remain with my very best wishes for a merry Christmas and a 
happy New Year, with my very best greetings also from my wife 
Yours very cordially 
P.S. Under seperate cover I sent you today my study on the rearing 
of Glossina palpalis in our Institute. 
