COPY

(Original sent to M. A. Lacroix, permanent secretary of the French Academy of Sciences, for his autograph collection, which is to be placed in the archives of the Academy. 10/9/39)

Yale College, New Haven, Conn.,
Dec. 4th, 1871.

J. W. Raymond, Esq.,
Dear Sir.

I am very desirous of obtaining, for the *Museum of Yale College*, a good collection of the skulls of the original natives of the Sandwich Islands, and if you could aid me in securing them you would do a great service for Science, and a personal favor to myself.

I understand that on the shore, about six miles S.E. of Honolulu, there is a locality where a large number of well preserved skulls could be obtained without much difficulty, and many other similar burial places are known on the island. If this be so, I should like much to get about fifty/changed to 307 of these ancient skulls, but a less number would aid me very much, and even a single one be acceptable.

If any can be secured, it would be well to pack them very carefully, wrapping up each skull with its under jaw by itself in thick paper, or better still in a cloth sack, so that they cannot be injured during transportation.

Any expense that might be incurred in making the explorations I will gladly meet, and be none the less obliged for the favor. Please direct any specimens that may be obtained to

Yale College Museum,
New Haven, Conn.
With care.

In the hope that you may be able to aid me in this respect,
I remain