REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 
Measurements.—In addition to the foregoing characters the following 
measurements should be recorded, and those bearing the letters A, B, 
E, and F (if a back-fin is present) telegraphed : 
Dosa fin,’ 
@ « 
Sve. Baa, 
Fic. 1. —Showing the organs and regions of the body to which special names are applied. 
Measurements in feet and inches. 
®A. Length over all (total)... -. 22-2. 2-22 eee ewww ne enna n ne nnn wae | 
*“BwGencth of themouth.-.2, -. 22-2 $2222 -e-naeb ens ere ena ee 
©. Breadth across the flukes ‘from tip to tip (straight)---.-..----.._- 
D. Depth of flukes from before backward 
* E. Length of flipper (pectoral fin).-.---...--- i 
ile Height (ie LEG) fed fh ener een Peron mse Bo. ocie UoSeeetnei seat oC 
G. Girth at largest parts. 2-2 nen n eee ee en en tee eee eee 
H. Listance from the tip of the snout to the base of the back fin. . ee | 
I, Length of longest whalebone (when present) ..-.-...---.-----.------ 
x These are the most important measurements. 
Teeth.—A|so telegraph invariably. 
Z. The total number of teeth. 
The following telegram may serve as a model: 
[A telegram showing the use of the symbols. ] 
‘¢ WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY, 
‘“‘ Cape May, N. J., January 1, 1885. 
“Prot. S. F.. BAIRD, 
‘¢ Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.: 
‘Female porpoise stranded near Station Ten this morning. Numbers 
four, seven, ten, thirteen. A, tele feet eight inches; Z, two. 
ae | OnN SMITH, 
‘“* Keeper.” 
Telegram expanded.—The foregoing telegram expanded would read as 
follows: ‘‘A female porpoise stranded near Life-saving Station No. 10 
thismorning. It has (4) teeth to the number of two or four in the lower 
jaw only. (7) The belly is smooth. (10) The back carries a fin. (13) 
The head is beaked. (A) Total length, 12 feet 8 inches. (z) Whole 
number of teeth, two.” 
METHOD OF PACKING FRESH SPECIMENS. 
Packing.—If a response is received from Washington requesting that 
a fresh specimen or specimens be shipped, the latter shouJd be packed 
in ice, sea-weed, or sawdust. ( 
Use of ice, sea-weed, sawdust, and salt.—Ice is almost indispensable in. 
