264 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



that no museum or other institution of learning can assume the finan- 

 cial responsibility. The field is thus clear for the work \t)u have 

 outlined, and unless financial aid can be supplied by the Carnegie 

 Institution for this well conceived undertaking it will doubtless re- 

 main merely the dream of its projectors. 



The biota of the Pslearctic region is at present only verv im- 

 perfectly known, and very little material, comparatively speaking, 

 has been collected, and that only in a casual and superficial way. 

 Moreover, this is widely scattered and practically inaccessible to the 

 students of any special group or area. Hence its bearing on 

 general problems, as to former land connections" between Eurasia 

 and North America, the place of origin of groups common to the two 

 continents, the relation of particular phases or aspects of plant and 

 animal life to their special environment, can not be determined. 

 Under >our plan of consecutive and systematic field work for a 

 period of years, under the m.ost careful instructions as to m.ethods 

 of preparation, biologists would soon be in possession of means for 

 the determination of all these questions, i-esulting in a most marked 

 advance in knowledge along these lines, which could not fail to 

 have also a direct and powerful influence upon the general progress 

 of biology. The amount of material thus gathered in accordance 

 with modern American methods of field work could not fail to be 

 very great, and after elaboration would be available for distribution 

 among a large number of scientific institutions, where it would 

 have permanent value as a part of the records of science and as 

 a basis of future comparative research. Its elaboration would give 

 opportunity for some of the younger investigators, to whom some 

 of the material would naturally be submitted, to show their ability 

 for research, and thus promote one of the primary purposes of the 

 Carnegie gift, the discovery of talent and favorable opportunity for 

 its development. 



Our United States Biological Survey, as conducted by Dr. Mer- 

 riam, is an illustration of what may be accom.plished by the use of 

 moderate means expended under wise direction. You and Mr. 

 Miller have been n«ore or less associated with this work, and are 

 familiar with the most approved modern methods of field work. 

 I am sure also that you are conversant with all the details of an 

 effective inception of the great undertaking you have so intelligently 

 proposed, and sufficiently in touch with all the leaders in biological 

 investigation to be able to give wise suggestions as to the apportion- 

 ment of the material for elaboration among those best fitted for 

 such work. 



