SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
November 3, 1923. 
Mr. Oakes Ames, 
Boston, Mas sachusetts. 
Dear Mr, Ames: 
Your letter of October 30 and enclosure were 
received yesterday, and I wish to thank you for the very 
generous check. I shall certainly try to make good use of 
it, and I hope I can bring back something that will be really 
worth while. 
The idea of using native assistance is a very good 
one, as I found while in Central America last time. By that 
method one’s activities can easily be doubled, and particularly 
if it is possible to train someone to attend to drying of 
specimens, which can be done in a very short time, it is 
possible to give all one's attention to collecting. I have 
not found it practicable to send out a native to get plants, 
although if there were time for training such a person the 
plan would be practicable, I shall follow your suggestions 
with regard to alcoholic material. 
This morning I received a fine letter of introduction 
from Mr. Cutter addressed to the Costa Rican manager, and Im 
may find it advisable to spend a short time somewhere along 
the coast in the United Bruit Company's properties. After 
s-rriving in Central America, I shall let you know how the 
work is progressing, particularly the gathering of orchids. 
Paul C. Standley, 
