ites particularly in
such areas as the blowhole(s), the eyes, any wounds on the trailing
edges of the dorsal fin, flippers, and flukes. Occasionally barnacles
will be found on teeth or baleen plates. Like the stomach contents,
parasites should be preserved in alcohol.

3. Photographs and sketches are a valuable part of data
collection--views of the animal(s) from as many angles as possible, and
detailed shots of such features as baleen plates, mouth and teeth,
ventral grooves, flippers, flukes, and unusual scars or coloration
should be included. Including a ruler for size reference may be helpful.

4. Although scientific data are usually expressed in metric units,
measurements should be taken in whatever units are readily available.
All measurements should be taken in a straight line, as shown in the
diagram, unless otherwise noted. Measurements which refer to the rostrum
are taken from the tip of the upper jaw. The external auditory meatus
(ear) is a small inconspicuous opening located just below and behind the
eye. To locate the ear the observer must sometimes scrape away some of
the skin to expose the unpigmented ear canal beneath it.

5. Throat grooves are short grooves found on the throat of beaked
whales, sperm whales, and dwarf sperm whales. Ventral grooves are long
grooves found only on balaenopterine whales. Ventral grooves should be
counted between the flippers.

It is difficult to overstress the importance of data from stranded
cetaceans. For some species, the only data available have come from
stranded individuals. By carefully gleaning from each specimen all the
data that can be collected, you will make a valuable addition to the
body of knowledge on these elusive animals.

[Illustration: Appendix Figure D1.--Locations and details of important
measurements.]

APPENDIX E

LIST OF INSTITUTIONS TO CONTACT REGARDING STRANDED CETACEANS

The following list includes many of the institutions in the area covered
by this guide, which are likely to respond to calls about stranded
cetaceans. The institutions on the mainland are listed roughly in order
from north to south, following the contour of the coast. Several island
institutions and organizations are also listed.

These institutions are the ones that come to mind as having taken an
active interest in cetacean strandings in the recent past. In addition
to these, almost any university biology or zoology department, State or
Federal conservation