FREFA^OE. 



On account of the orders recently issued to the keepers of the life- 

 saving stations by Superintendent S. I. Kimball, and to the keepers of 

 the light-stations by Vice- Admiral Stephen C. Eowan, U. S. K, re- 

 questing that the stranding of large animals on the coast should be 

 immediately telegraphed to the Smithsonian Institution, it has been 

 thought desirable to offer certain suggestions as to the best mode of 

 telegraphing, preserving specimens, &c., for the guidance of observers.* 



* CIRCULAR. —ASSISTANCE TO COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



[1883. Department No. 10. Life-Saving Service.] 



Treasury Department, U. S. Life-Saving Service, 



Washington, D. C, February 2, 1883, 

 To the Keepers and Crews of U. S. Life-Saving Stations : 



Your attention is called to the following 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. 



S. I. KIMBALL, 

 General Superintendent, 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, D. C, Novemlei' 13. 1882. 



Dear Sir : 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 

 life-saving stations. 



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 refer 

 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 marine 

 monsters, such as might possibly suggest the idea of the far-famed "sea-serpent." 



I would ask, therefore, that instructions be given to the persons connected with the 

 Life-Saving Service, during the period of official duty or at other times, to advise me 

 promptly, by telegraph, of the appearance, in their vicinity, of any such animals," and to 

 endeavor to keep them in proper condition, 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, coUect," If out of the reach of the telegraph, the announcement may be 

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