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AutTHouGH the idea was long prevalent among the uninstructed 
that the Cetacea are fishes, these animals are really Mammals, 
adapted for a purely aquatic existence; and on this account, as 
well as from the gigantic size of many of their representatives, 
they form a group of more than ordinary interest. 
The proper exhibition of the members of the Cetacea in a public 
museum is a matter of very great difficulty, not only because of 
the amount of space required by the larger species, but likewise 
owing to the difficulty of preparing and mounting the skins. A 
specimen may, after very careful preparation, look fairly well when 
first placed on exhibition; but after a time the oil with which the 
skin is saturated is almost certain to exude at the surface and to 
render the specimen unsightly. 
Under these circumstances it has been found advisable to 
employ, for the most part, only skeletons and models for exhibition 
purposes. The idea of constructing half-models in plaster on 
one side of the skeletons of the larger species was introduced 
into the Museum by Sir W. H. Flower, when Director; and the 
present Whale-room was built and installed under his personal 
supervision. At the time when it was first opened it was 
practically, if not entirely, a unique exhibition; and it has ever 
since been a source of great interest and attraction to the 
public. 
In a perfectly arranged museum the Whale-room should be in 
immediate connexion with the other Mammal Galleries, but in the 
building as now arranged this was found to be impracticable. 
The present Guide-book has been drawn up by Mr. R. Lydekker. 
——_ 
SIDNEY F. HARMER, 
Keeper of Zoology. 
British Muspum (Naturat History), 
LONDON. 
March, 1909. 
