472 The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. VI, No. 4, 



of labelling and transporting such specimens, and furnish evi- 

 dence that' such collections will be duly preserved and made 

 available for the use of students and others interested. Pref- 

 erence is to be given in order of application to high schools offer- 

 ing courses in Nature Study, Zoology or Botany, and so located 

 that no other collections of a similar nature are available for 

 study and demonstration." 



The Sections following (5 to 8) provide for publication which 

 is on the same plan as the Geological Survey, for compensation 

 of officers, expenses and accounting, and provides an annual 

 appropriation of $5000 for carrying on the work. 



It is believed by the Committee and others consulted that 

 the bill would give an opportunity to push a much needed study 

 of our native fauna and flora and it should meet the hearty sup- 

 port of all interested in the Natural History of the State as well 

 as the members of the Academy. Letters endorsing the measure 

 to be effective, should be sent as promptly as possible to indi- 

 vidual members of the House or Senate or to Hon. C. V. Trott, 

 House of Representatives, Capitol Building, Columbus, Ohio. 



While an argument for the Survey seems altogether unnec- 

 essary for readers of the Naturalist, a statement of some of the 

 hnes of study especially needed may be useful. It is particularly 

 desirable that there should be a careful, systematic study of the 

 Fauna and Flora, pushed as rapidly as possible to determine the 

 present status and for comparison during future years. Such a 

 scientific foundation is needed in many lines of study or practical 

 work but perhaps from the standpoint of general knowledge 

 would serve its greatest purpose as a help to teachers of Natural 

 Science in the various schools. It will have all the greater 

 service in this connection if these same teachers can have a hand 

 in the work of the survey and in the distribution and use of the 

 collections resulting from its work. A full knowledge of the 

 aquatic life of the waters of the state is of direct and essential 

 importance in matters of health and in the development of the 

 fishing interests; moreover, the depletion or extinction of such 

 life by sewage and factory waste that pollute our lakes and 

 streams has economic as well as scientific interest. 



The bill already has received approval and hearty endorse- 

 ment from the presidents of a number of Ohio colleges and 

 universities and of individuals acquainted with the need for 

 such a survev. It is House Bill No. 363. 



H. 0. 



