4 6 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



and well-rounded cetacean collections have been assembled only by 

 close cooperation between the museums and agencies in a position to 

 assist with the collection of such material. Of all the European mu- 

 seums, the British Museum (Natural History) in London is probably 

 the most active at present in building up the cetacean collections. 

 Besides older material, some of which dates back a century or more, 

 this collection has been augmented from time to time by specimens 



Fig. 43. — Home of Charles Darwin. 



received from various exploring expeditions. The British Museum 

 has profited greatly since 191 2 by the arrangements made by Sir 

 Sidney F. Harmer with the Receivers of Wrecks and with the Coast 

 Guard Officers for the receipt of telegraphic reports of all strandings 

 of whales on the British Isles. The staff of the "Discovery Expedi- 

 tion," organized for whaling research under the auspices of the British 

 Colonial Office, have transmitted numerous cetacean specimens, and 

 British whaling: vessels have assisted in a similar manner. 



