farm product but is affected directly or indirectly by some animal 

 activity * * *." Space is too limited to go into methods of 

 study of life-histories here, but the interested reader will find many 

 practical suggestions in the pamphlet above quoted. 



In connection with field studies, much laboratory investigation 

 is needed. In dealing with wild animals in confinement, due allow- 

 ance must be made for abnormality of surroundings, but it is some- 

 times possible to determine particular points, as in breeding habits, 

 which could rarely be observed in the free state. Paleontology is 

 a branch of mammalogy as yet almost untouched in Maine, but the 

 discovery of a fossil mink on our coast at least suggests possibilities 

 for the student in that field. 



Absorbing as these aspects are for the scientific student, it is the 

 appeal of wild animal life to the appreciative observer that we must 

 finally consider. Bird study, though in some cases a fad, has per- 

 sisted because of the inherent attraction of living things to the nor- 

 mal, healthy person. In the same spirit will mammalogy draw its 

 quota of devotees. Not primarily because of the value of the ani- 

 mals to man, not wholly to determine questions of fact, but essen- 

 tially for the deeper appreciation of all nature which such a vital 

 study brings. 



For the mass of our information about mammals, we must depend 

 upon the scattered observations of the hunter, the trapper, and the 

 interested observer. Incomplete as these must be, they are, if accu- 

 rate, our sole dependence in some particulars and when correlated 

 become valuable additions to the sum of our present knowledge. 

 For such notes, comparisons and comments, our columns are open, 

 and it is earnestly hoped that all interested will avail themselves of 

 this opportunity to publish their observations and experiences with 

 native mammals. Photographs, if clear and pertinent, are especially 

 desired. A. S. Pope. 



Kansas has 80 species of wild mammals ; Nebraska 94 ; Colorado 

 152; Texas 182; and California 369. How many has Maine? Let 

 each Nature student send in a list of those they have seen. To the 

 one sending in the largest correct list, with locaHties where each 

 species was seen, we will give a year's subscription to this journal : 

 or, if already a subscriber, we will give this person one dollar in 

 cash. 



