BEAL ON STATE SURVEY. 13 



each other. Even at tlii^ time none of us anticipates a large membership 

 or any very striking results — at least, not for many years to come. Each 

 one of the members sees already any amount of interesting work in 

 natural science that ought to be done in our State. Let us from this time 

 forward, strive to interest others to join us and begin and carry to com- 

 pletion some of the investigations so much needed. 



The importance of making a survey of the fauna, flora, and other natural 

 resources of the State was recognized as early as 1837, and a fair begin 

 ning was made, though for want of persons to press the subject; little 

 has been accomplished excepting to continue the geological survey; and 

 this has been maintained, merely because of the brilliant and prompt 

 financial results which were anticipated. Michigan is far behind many 

 other states east, west, and south in the study of fauna and flora. Primi- 

 tive conditions are fast disappearing. In hundreds of townships, there 

 are only fragments here and there which still contain the native wild 

 plants. These regions have been cleared up and now bear farm crops. 

 The swamps and marshes have been drained; the woods pastured; the 

 roadsides cultivated for* crops almost to the tracks made by passing 

 teams. Fires have repeatedly burned over some of the most interest- 

 ing portions of the State. Extensive tracts of timber have been cut anil 

 removed, and before the young timber could cover the ground and begin 

 to repair the waste, fires have licked up nearly every green thing. 



A good force of competent persons should be continually employed to 

 look after the forests of the State — to investigate their needs and to (lis 

 cover and apply the remedies. I need not go into details. It would be in- 

 teresting to learn the location of the different regions of the State and 

 the special plants which characterize them. How is each of these regions 

 related to others in this State and in neighboring states. 



As members of a scientific society, we ought to be able to render con- 

 siderable assistance in. seeing that these subjects are properly taught in 

 the public schools, and that young persons begin and maintain numerous 

 local museums where the natural history may be investigated. 



These plants may be listed and grouped with reference to their many 

 uses; for roadside planting, for color of foliage, for ornamental flowers, 

 for climbing, for display in winter, for growing in ponds and bogs, or on 

 sand, in the sun or in the shade, for spring, summer, or autumn. Which 

 are most useful for furnishing hees with honey and where do they thrive? 

 What native w T eeds have we, and what is the list of exotic weeds? Active 

 efforts should be made and continued to discover and record the introduc- 

 tion of new plants, and the modes of introduction. The problem of 

 weeds on the farm and in the garden is one of imminent importance. The 

 parasitic fungi are awaiting investigation, as they ruin the hopes of many 

 of our industrious cultivators of the soil. Tons of valuable food, as good 

 as roast beef, are annually wasted because of the ignorance of the people 

 regarding their peculiarities. These mushrooms and toadstools should be 

 better known for many reasons. 



Local societies for investigating this subject should be encouraged and 

 assisted. 



Our mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, insects, Crustacea, mollusks, and 

 even the lowest kinds of animal life need more attention; and we have not 



