ORGANIZATION. 



In March, 1892, after discussing with his co-workers in the University 

 the question of the desirability of a State society of naturalists, Professor 

 Jacob Reighard addressed to a score of well known men in the State the 

 following circular letter: 



Ann Arbor, Mich., March 22, 1892. 



Dear Sir — It is proposed to organize in Michigan a State Society of 

 Naturalists to comprise Zoologists, Botanists and Physiologists. As a 

 preliminary to a call for a meeting to organize such a society it is de- 

 sirable to get an expression of opinion from those most likely to be in- 

 terested upon the following points: 



1. As to the scope of the work to be done by such a society. ' 



«(a) To what extent should papers embodying the results of original 

 work be presented at the meetings? 



(b) What stress should be laid on the discussion of methods of teach- 



ing and the demonstration of appliances for teaching? 



(c) To what extent should general biological problems be discussed 



(such for instance as heredity) with a purpose of stimulating an 

 interest in them and securing a better understanding of them? 

 id) Should an attempt be made to stimulate, systematize and co- 

 ordinate work on the fauna and flora of the State, and can any 

 means be devised of giving worth to such work and accumulat- 

 ing the results of it in such a way as to make it a permanent 

 acquisition of the science? 



2. What should be the character of the membership? 



(a) Should it be composed wholly of investigators, or 



(b) Should it include also those engaged in teaching without in- 



tention of ever engaging in investigation? or 



(c) Should it include all persons sufficiently interested to discharge 



the duties of membership? 



The character of the membership is largely determined by the scope of 

 the work and it is of course necessary to have at least a tentative policy 

 with regard to membership before calling a meeting for organization. 



The organization of such a society will be greatly facilitated if you will 

 give your opinion as fully as possible on each of the foregoing points, and 

 also on the following: 



I. Will you become a member of a society of the character indicated by 

 your reply? 



II. Give the names and addresses of such persons as in your opinion 

 would be likely to become desirable members of such a society. 



