( 



BIOLOGICAL, RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 91 



llntro^uction. 



The material presented in this bulletin represents the work of four 

 seasons in the region under discussion. The bulletin is not intended as 

 a dissertation on a technical subject. The notes presented are given with 

 the idea (1) of describing a region in which considerable work has been 

 dene, and in which more will be done; and (2) to indicate to future 

 collectors in the state regions where collecting may be carried on to 

 advantage, and some of the finds to be expected. 



The material collected is being worked over as rapidly as time will per- 

 mit, and in due time technical papers will be presented. Nearly 1,500 

 shells of the species Pyramidula strigosa have been gathered, from alti- 

 tudes ranging from 2,300 feet to 8,900 feet. This gives an excellent series 

 for studying variation. This work is being conducted in the laboratory at 

 the University. A series of about 1,300 butterflies has been taken, most 

 of which have been expanded. Many moths have also been secured. 

 Large collections of Odonata have been secured, and as soon as the east- 

 ern part of the state is more fully covered this group of insects will be 

 taken up, a treatise on those in the western part being now in manuscript. 

 The botanical collections number thousands of specimens, and when the 

 work of identification and labelling is completed the University will have a 

 very creditable collection of the plants of the state. The collection em- 

 braces specimens from varying altitudes up to 10,000 feet, and from locali- 

 ties heretofore unexplored. Included among these is a large series of 

 lichens. 



A large collection of entomostraca has been made, during the several 

 seasons, and from many bodies of water. A portion of the material has 

 been worked over and the remainder is now being examined. 



The accompanying illustrations were all taken by members of the 

 station staff or those attending the station. Due credit is given for each. 

 Some of the cuts have appeared elsewhere, for which acknowledgement 

 has been made in the proper place. 



The bulletin will place on permanent record much information which 

 is important, and which in a few years would be lost or very difiicult to 

 secure. 



Bulletin No. 1 of this series, "Summer Birds of Flathead Lake," by 

 P. M. Silloway, is out of print; the large edition having been exhausted 

 a short time after its publication. 



The author takes this public manner of expressing his high apprecia- 

 tion of the very cordial support given by those who have accompanied 

 him on collecting trips and assisted in the work at the Station at Flat- 

 head lake. The recollection of smoldering campfires in many wild 

 places, with sleeping bags containing tired but happy naturalists, working 



