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January 21, 1925.

My dear Dr. Longley,

In view of the turn things have seemed to take I have been at loss just what to write you or Dr. Merriam.  I hesitate to place him in what might be an embarrassing situation, for there is more than just uncertainty about the possibility of going to Tortugas in addition to My South American "excursion".  In fact I have had strong intimations that any desire to spend more time in the field than necessitated by my South American problem would be received with extreme disfavor.

Hence I have prepared a letter which I first submit to you for your approval, before transmitting it to Dr. Merriam.  What I would like to write under the circumstances is quite another matter, and as I have said in my letter to him I sincerely hope that the way things have gone will not militate against continuing work at Tortugas at some future date.

Even in my absence I feel that I can be of some help to you if you will only bottle, in 75% alcohol, you fish stomach contents.  I could do considerable in determining the crustacean remains at least here at the museum.