REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 
The instructions herewith published relate to the cetaceans only, since 
it is to this group that a large proportion of the specimens hereafter 
obtained will in all probability belong, and also because requests for 
information concerning these animals have been already received from 
several keepers of stations. Similar requests having been also made 
by a number of captains of whaling-vessels, and by other persons, it has" 
seemed best to make the suggestions available for all classes of ob- 
servers. : 
The knowledge of the cetaceans has always been deficient, owing to 
the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of specimens and the 
sent by mail. On receipt of this communication, which should give some idea of the 
nature and condition of the specimen, 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, black- 
fish, &c. 
Very truly yours, 
SPENCER F. BAIRD. 
8. I. Kimpat., Esq., 
Gen’l Sup’t Life-Saving Service, Washington. 
CIRCULAR.—ASSISTANCE TO COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
[1883. Department No. 12. L.-H. Board No. 2, of 1883.] 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
OFFICE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD, 
Washington, D. C., February 13, 1883. 
To the Keepers of Light-stations : 
Your attention is called to the followin * letter addressed to this office by Prof. 
Spencer F. Baird, U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, and you are requested 
to render him all the assistance possible in furtherance of the objects specified therein 
not incompatible with the performance of your regular duties. 
STEPHEN C. ROWAN, — 
Vice-Admiral, U. S. N., Chairman. 
U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 
Washington, D. C., November 13, 1882. 
Dear Sie: I beg leave to call your attention to a service, in the interest of science 
and of the fishing industry, that can readily be rendered by those connected with the 
Light-House Service. 
As United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, I am desirous of obtaining a 
complete collection (to be deposited in the National Museum) of illustrations of the 
various marine animals the occurrence or capture of which is only occasional. I re-— 
fer more particularly to whales, porpoises, blackfish, grampuses, and the various — 
other forms of the whale family. These are frequently thrown ashore by the storms, 
or stranded in shoals, or taken in weirs, but, beyond exciting a passing interest on the 
part of the bystanders, very little further is heard of them. In addition to these, I 
may mention the great basking or bone shark, and any unknown or unidentified 
