[5] COLLECTING SPECIMENS OP CETACEANS. 1161 



lack of room in whicli 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. 



S. F. BAIRD, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 

 and U. 8. Fish Commissioner. 



marine monsters, such as might possibly suggest the idea of the iar-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." If 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 infprmed, in a similar manner, of the first appearance, 

 at tolerably long intervals, of schools of mackerel, menhaden, bluefish, porpoises, 

 blackfish, &G. 



Very truly, yours, 



SPENCER r. BAIRD. 



Vice-Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, U. S. N., 



Chairman of the Lifjht-House Board, Washington, D. C. 



