6 FIRST REPORT 



Still, while we recognize that the investigation of one animal 

 points to the necessity of investigating others, that one sub- 

 ject always leads to another and one problem inevitably sug- 

 gests one or more others, we must admit that certain lines 

 of zoological investigation were hardly contemplated in the 

 organization of the survey, and more properly come under 

 the purview of the University. As a matter of fact, we must 

 somewhat circumscribe the work of a state survey, always, 

 howev^er, with the understanding that exigencies may arise 

 demanding a widening of the circle. 



In accordance with the view indicated above, the present 

 plan of the State Zoologist contemplates primarily the scienti- 

 fic investigation of all those animals of direct economic im- 

 portance, and. in accordance with section 6 of the law, the 

 collecting and placing on exhibition in the museum represen- 

 tative specimens of the animals of the state in such a way as 

 to give them an educational value rather than a mere display 

 value. 



The museum has been furnished with new cases, and the 

 fauna of the state can be placed on proper exhibition just as 

 fast as the material is collected and prepared and the necessary 

 money is placed at the disposal of the curator. 



The importance, or rather the necessity of at once beginning 

 the formation of a representative collection of the animals of 

 the State, will certainly not need urging when the present con- 

 dition of the museum is taken into account. 



Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true that not- 

 withstanding the fact several papers have been published on a 

 few groups of animals found in the state, the museum practi- 

 cally has none of the material upon which these papers were 

 based. Indeed in some cases there apparently was not even 

 an attempt made to preserve the specimens that served for the 

 description of new species, and we have absolutely nothing 

 here for comparison. Comment on such methods of work is unnec- 

 essary. Of the collection here now, many specimens are not even 

 good show specimens. Many are without any data whatever, 

 and many have only the name of the taxidermist added, while 

 others have data so obviously out of place that they are 

 practically valueless. Many of the really valuable things 

 have been badly damaged by moths and other injurious in- 

 sects, and the fire of two years ago and neglect previous to 

 that time more or less injured ever3^thing. An amusing group 

 is quite a collection of animals purchased to represent the 



