[5] COLLECTING SPECIMENS. OF CETACEANS. 
lack of room in which to store or display them. It is believed that 
the zeal displayed by a few American collectors if extended to others 
will greatly aid in removing the obscurity in which the cetaceans are 
involved, while in the National Museum may be found a suitable and 
ample storehouse for the material gathered. 
The subjoined instructions have been drawn up by Mr. Frederick 
W. True, curator of mammals in the National Museum. 
8S. F. BAIRD, 
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 
and U.S. Fish Commissioner. 
marine monsters, such as might possibly suggest the idea of the ftar-famed ‘‘sea- 
serpent.” 
I would ask, therefore, that instructions be given to the persons connected with the 
Light-House Service to advise me promptly, by telegraph, of the appearance, in 
their vicinity, of any such animals, and to endeavor to keep them in proper condi; 
tion, and prevent their being cut or otherwise mutilated until I can send some word. 
I would cheerfully pay the full value of the oil or blubber of these animals, so that 
there might be no inducement to cut them up. A telegram sent to the nearest 
station, addressed ‘‘ Professor Baird, Washington, D. C.,” will come to me without 
prepayment being required if marked ‘‘ Government business, collect.” IPf out of the 
reach of the telegraph, the announcement may be sent by mail. On receipt of this 
communication, which should give some idea of the nature and condition of the speci- 
men, I will at once respond—in some cases sending an expert to prepare the specimen 
for the Museum. 
Some of these animals, if not too large, can be forwarded directly to Washington ; 
others I may wish to have cast in plaster on the spot and the skeleton only removed. 
I would also be glad to be informed, in a similar manner, of the first appearance, 
at tolerably long intervals, of schools of mackerel, menhaden, bluefish, porpoises, 
blackfish, &c. 
Very truly, yours, 
SPENCER F. BAIRD. 
Vice-Admiral STEPHEN C. Rowan, U.S. N., 
Chairman of the Light-House Board, Washington, D.C. 
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