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As known to you, I am one of Prof. Shaler's men, holding two degrees from Harvard, and have also studied with Professors Clark and Williams at Johns Hopkins. I served during several field-seasons on the Geological Survey, and have been engaged in private geological work in several of the western states.

My work on this side has been very successful. The past year I have been occupied chiefly in vertebrate palaeontology, and take my degree in this branch as Hauptfach next month. Prof. v. Zittel stands ready to offer his hearty recommendation, he tells me, wherever asked for. My close relations with him may be perhaps further understood from the fact that he has arranged with me for the translation of his new textbook, the publication of which Macmillan & Co. have undertaken. Finally I should add that Professor Shaler would regard it a pleasure to contribute whatever he can in my behalf, and desires me to mention him as first reference.

You may inquire why I do not apply to Harvard? As a matter of fact, until recently it had been the understanding that I should return there, but the scientific department finds itself $25,000 behindhand from last year, and as I have just heard, can pay me nothing at all. For this and the first-mentioned reasons, I want to put in an application for work at Yale; and if they want my services for a year or two at the smallest salary they pay, I am ready to promise them as much enthusiasm and fidelity as they are likely to run across anywhere.

If you can find any encouragement to offer me in this respect, I shall be even more indebted to you than before. Trusting, however, that I am not imposing on your kindness, and with assurances of my highest regards,

I remain