84 Bulletin Wisconsin Natural History Society. [Vol. 7, Nos. 3-4. 



forests the dust raised by the animals has tended to suffocate acres 

 of the finest trees. The rain, finding its way to the uncovered roots, 

 undermines the trees and fells them. On deforested hillsides the ground 

 cover soon gives way to erosion and fine land is overwhelmed at the 

 bottom. The trampling of cattle at river fords and drinking places 

 were mentioned as some of the quickest means of producing erosion. 

 At the seashore and the shores of lakes and large rivers the destruc- 

 tion of the natural barriers of trees and bushes has occasioned the. 

 formation of great sand-dunes which in their steady advance overcome 

 forests, pastures and farm-lands. The constant fight led by the Na- 

 tional Government against the sand dunes was shown vividly by the 

 lecturer. Cape Cod, the Columbia river, localities in Kansas and along 

 the Colorado and other rivers are some of the instances. 



Mr. Burrill then concluded with the statement that the only rem- 

 edies are severe husbanding of the remaining forests to regulate the 

 flow of water, and terrace-farming in deforested localities to prevent 

 erosion. A sbnile was drawn between the United States and China, 

 and a like fate predicted for our country, if better and more sensible 

 methods weie not soon introduced. The lecture was illustrated with 

 about 150 colored slides. .Mr. Burrill also exhibited a series of pam- 

 phlets treating of the subject, some of them narrating what various 

 States are doing for the preservation and irrigation of their soils. 



After five minutes intermission a business meeting was held. Tlr; 

 resignation of Mr. Paui C. Eohde was read and accepted. Resolutions 

 presented by Mr. Burrill at the last section meeting were read and 

 action postponed till the next general meeting. The reports of the 

 secretary and treasurer were read and approved. There being a 

 quorum present the election of officers was then held. President Teller 

 expressed his desire to withdraw from the presidency which he had 

 held for nine years. A communciation of similar import from Mr. 

 Finger, the treasurer, was read. Mr. Brues said that he would be un- 

 able to hold the secretaryship any longer since he expected to leave 

 for Harvard in September to teach in the university there. 



A committee on nominations was appointed consisting of Dr. S. 

 Graenicher, Br. George P. Barth, and Dr. George W. Peckham. Nomi- 

 nations by the committee were as follows : Mr. William MacLaren for 

 treasurer. Pilchard A. Muttkowski for secretary, and Mr. Edgar E. 

 Teller for Director. No nominations for president and vice-president 

 were submitted. Individual nominations for president: Dr. George P. 



