Measurements of Reynolds shear stress profiles and lateral heat flux profiles in the nearly self-preserving region of the turbulent wake of a heated circular cylinder are compared with calculations obtained from the mean momentum and mean enthalpy equations. Two types of self-preserving scales are used. The first uses the free-stream velocity U1 and the length scale [(x-x0)d]1/2, where x is the distance from the cylinder, x0 is the virtual origin, and d the cylinder diameter. The second uses the centerline velocity defect U0 and the velocity defect half-width L. Consistent results are obtained with both types of scales. In particular, the comparisons do not support the need for determining a new virtual origin, as suggested by Hariri et al. [Phys. Fluids 25, 1964 (1982)]. © 1986 American Institute of Physics.