INTRODTJOTION. 



The following instructions are intended primarily for the use of the 

 keepers of the life-saving and light stations on the coast of the United 

 States, but an attempt has been made to render them also available for 

 all other persons who may be interested in collecting cetaceans. It is 

 hoped that they are sufficiently clear, brief, and free from technical 

 terms to render them intelligible to any person who carefully reads 

 them. In the course of the development of their craft whale-fishermen 

 have found it necessary and convenient to use a certain number of 

 words in a special sense to designate different parts of a whale, but only 

 a very few of these are used in this paper, and then with the proper 

 explanation. 



One great source of difficulty which zoologists encounter in the study 

 of whales and porpoises lies in the fact that in a large number of in- 

 stances the external form of a species is known while the skeleton is 

 not ; or that the skull or skeleton has been collected but no notice 

 taken of the external appearance. Observers would do well to hold 

 this constantly in mind and to remember that if they are only able to 

 collect, for example, the skull of a porpoise they will add immensely to 

 its value by stating whether the animal to which it belonged had a 

 rounded or pointed head, a hump or a fin on the back, or any other of 

 the important external characters which are briefly summed up on p. 10. 



Measurements and drawings also prove of the highest interest, since 

 they frequently help to bring out certain important points which even 

 a long description might fail to make clear. 



A more careful study of the various kinds of whales and porpoises is 

 sure to lead not only to a better knowledge of their natural relationships, 

 but to a clearer understanding of their commercial value. There are 

 indications of the presence on our coasts of a number of species, 

 especially of the smaller kinds of cetaceans, which, if better known, 

 might be made the basis of profitable industries. 



In a recently published catalogue* I estimated the number of known 

 kinds or species of whales and porpoises frequenting the coasts of 

 North America at sixty-two, but in reviewing the matter again I am 

 convinced that not more than fifty-six can with propriety be included 

 in the list. Even of these fifty-six nominal species fully one-third rest 

 upon no certain basis, and the question of their identity is an open one. 



* Special Catalogue pf tJie London Fisheries Exhibition, section H, p. 7, Washing- 

 ton, 1884. 



[7] 1163 



