28 THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



A NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY FOR MICHIGAN. 



Frederick C. Newcomb^. 



There is probably no state nor territory in the Union in which some- 

 thing has not been done in the way of determining the flora and fauna. 

 The states of New York, Ohio, Illinois, and California have been for years 

 conducting not only a geological bnt also a natural history survey, while 

 several other states, such as Massachusetts and Rennsylvania, have pub- 

 lished many reports on the natural history of inland waters, forests, etc. 

 In recent years state survey work has received added impetus in the 

 direction of natural history by the formal inauguration of such surveys 

 in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin. Minnesota. Iowa, and Nebraska. 



The state survey of Michigan began as a geological and natural history 

 survey in 1837 when the State was admitted to the Union. In 1S4(), for 

 economic reasons, the biological \n\ri of the work was discontinued, and 

 with brief exceptions the survey was thenceforth continued as geological. 



The Michigan I^egislature of 1!>()3, in both Houses, passed a bill in- 

 augurating a natural history survey of the State. The bill however, 

 which was passed in the last days of the session, failed to receive the 

 Governor's signature. This ])artial success gives ground for hope that 

 the survey will be established by the Legislature of 1905. But whether 

 success or failure shall attend the efforts of the Academ}- to establish 

 a survey next year, we may feel assured that the Academy will relax 

 no effort to carry to a successful end this work to which its members 

 have committed themselves. 



THE OLD WAY OF MAKINCi NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 



Looking through the reports of state surveys made during the past 

 century, one finds that from Maine to California nearly every state has 

 published lists of its plants and animals, with brief accompanying de- 

 scriptions and notes as to habitat, range, etc. In this State, Real and 

 Wheeler's Michigan Flora is a worthy example of this kind of work. 

 Such publications are good as a preliminary reconnaissance. They have 

 a scientific value to s})ecialists working on floral and faunal distribution, 

 and to a few systematists in the State. To the general citizen in the 

 State however their worth is relatively small. 



A BETTER :METH0D FOR NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 



The natural history surveys of the future Avill undoubtedly be ecologi- 

 cal. An ecological natural history survey will study ]»lants and animals 

 in relation to their environment. Such a survey will l»e carried on along 

 two lines: (1) Problems ])eculiar to special localities or peculiar to spe- 

 cial environment will be studied; (2) The plant and animal forms of 



