C O P Y

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Division of Vertebrate Paleontology

New Haven, Conn., --August. 1st..., 1890

H. T. Martin

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 18th inst. came duly and I was glad
to learn that you had settled down to work so systematically,
and had such good luck. I enclose a check for $60. for the
month of July, and shall continue this amount for August.

I have added the $10. per month, to cover all expense
of packing etc.

I cannot promise to increase your pay, but if you make
any important discoveries I shall do the fair thing in the
way of extras. Birds are especially important, and you are
sure to find some if you improve as fast as you have of late.
Pterodactyles are not rare, but good one, especially skulls,
are very desirable, and all should be carefully collected
and carefully packed. Saurians, are plenty, but good ones
are always worth careful saving. Fishes are of little value,
but it is often so difficult to tell them from more important
things, that you better be sure in each case before rejecting
them.

Now a word or two of advice. (1st) Say as little as
possible to any one about your work or discoveries, and do

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Letter of August 1st, 1890 to H. T. Martin

not show your specimens to any one. (2nd) Pack up every-
thing as soon as you can ready for shipment, and number your
boxes 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. with a card inside of each, stating
contents. Begin to number boxes 1, 2, etc. with your _July_
work, and continue numbers. (3) Mark each box

No. Prof. O. C. Marsh, U. S. G. S.
New Haven, Ct.
With Care

(4) Number each saurian 1, 2, 3, etc.

" " Pterydactyle 1, 2, 3, etc.

of course beginning July 1st, 1890. (5) Keep list of con-
tents of each box in your note book, and send copy before
each shipment _by mail_. (6) Write fully of discoveries etc.
at least once in two weeks. I send by this mail some paper
of this size, envelopes, etc. (7) Send _small_ important
specimens by _registered mail_ in _tin cans_, now and then, but
be careful of separating specimens that belong together.

You will see by the above that I wish to keep every-
thing after _July 1st_ quite by itself, hence wish you to be-
gin a new set of numbers boxes, specimens, etc. I will
write again about shipping boxes, but you better keep all
you can ready marked, and numbered for shipment.

Let me know how many boxes you have now packed, and
also give a rough estimate of weight.

P. S. I am willing to call everything before July 1st square
if you are.

Written in longhand.