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MEMORANDUM

April 27, 1942

In the present emergency, aside from our purely scientific interest, it is important to obtain all possible weather and oceanographic data in the Galapagos area at the earliest opportunity, besides initiating the conservation program which has been proposed for the Islands. Any large scale occupation, if not controlled or supervised, is bound to react unfavorably on the unique native wild life. Therefore the following investigations are recommended: 

1. [[underlined]] Weather observations. [[/underlined]] These are of extreme importance to aviation and are basic to any studies that we might undertake on the native life of the Islands, especially if we can obtain continuous records over a long period of time. Existing data are so meager as to be of little value and if we are to have any worth while weather information the sooner we start gathering it, the better. The Ecuadorian Government is particularly interested in the climate of the Islands, and desires meteorological information above all other. 

In order to enhance the value of any observations that we might make, radiosonde observations should be included. If possible, the Weather Bureau should be persuaded to furnish two expert observers for the radiosonde work. Two are necessary, in order that one may at times relieve the other, because the work is very arduous. At the same time, these two observers could without difficulty also take care of the meteorological observations and instruments. The latter require a minimum of attention because they are automatic recording instruments. If such an arrangement cannot be made, the Weather Bureau should be asked to cooperate at least to the extent of providing some one who can supervise the installation of the weather recording