[ Professor Osborn]

Progessor R.S. Lull

July 25, 1902
My dear Brown.
I have just received your letter of july 15th from the camp of hell creek; and I am very glad to learn that you are at least finding some fair prospects. i trust that you will uncover some of these bones thoroughly, and ascertain positively whether they are worth collecting.
You will be very much disappointed to learn that the Dinosaur which you collected with so much care and labor has proved almost valueless. We have developed block after block in the hope of finding something of value; but in vein. i have directed Mr. Hermann to abandon work on the specimen, and to move the block down to the basement, although it is hardly worth keeping at all. It will perhaps yeild two or three bones of value. The skull proves to be entirely crushed and unrecognizable.
This seems to warn us thatwe should certainly examine materials a little more carefully in the feild before taking it up in block and going to the heavy expense of freight before shipment to the east. I know you sent the specimen to us afer the best possible methods; but it should have received a more careful examination. I therefore request you to examine all prospects and bones pretty carefully, so as to make yourself absolutely sure that we are not bringing on material which will not pay the shipment much less the heavy expenses of collection.
I have been working recently on the Canadian Survey report, and I am especially interested in the geology of Montana Dinosaurs. It is important that you should ascertain positively the nature of the beds overlying these animals. There is no doubt that the Belly River beds in Canada, not very far distant, are overlain by Ft. Pierre and Fox Hills. I find that these Montana Dinosaurs are much older in type than those of Converse County, Wyoming, and closely resemble those from the Belly River; so I am very much mystified by the geology, because every report states that the Montana beds are of the age as those in wyoming and overlie the Ft.Pierre and Fox Hills.
The distance from your railroad base is a very serious matter. We can do the hauling, however, if you find really good fossils.
Your collection of invertebrates will be valuable. They should be accompanied by very careful geological section sketch. I want you to ascertain the levels both of vertebrates and invertebrates with the greatest care.
I knew that you would like Dr.Lull. I hereby authorize you to pay him $30. a month for his services. I trust Mr.Brooks has reached you safely.
Your account of the camp makes me long to come out and join you. with the exception of the disappointment aboout the Dinosaur, all goes well in the Museum.
Dr.Matthew is having fair success in Western Montana, as he has probably written you. In case you strike it very rich I have instructed him to consider whether it may not be best to re-inforce your party by Thompson. Dr.Matthew and Granger are detailed by the U.S. Geological Survey for an exploration of the Ft. Bridger county, and will meet in Medicine Row for this purpose on or about August 1st. Loomis is detailed for a survey of the Canon City beds.
I am writing to Professor Lull.
I greatly enjoyed your report No. 5 and trust to hear from you regularly. remember that it is important to look out for small things, small teeth, mammal bones, teeth and vertebrae belonging to lizards and batrachians, as well as the larger specimens, as we want to get a more complete knowledge of the variety of these fauna.
Mr. Hermann is well and the work is going on finely under his direction.
With kindest regards from all, I am

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Barnum Brown.