86 Journal of the Mitchell Society [August 



altlioiigli mncli data lias been secured from many persons in 

 many localities, much of the more detailed work still remains 

 unfinished. 



VII. MAMMALS 



This is the only group in which any considerable reliance 

 can be placed on common report, and even here it must be ac- 

 cepted with discrimination. If one can secure the positive 

 statement from a reputable resident, that deer or bear occur in 

 that locality 'the record can be accepted because the species are 

 distinctive and cannot possibly be confused with other kind,?. 

 But when it comes to recording the different species of smaller 

 mammals, like mice and bats, only careful collecting will re- 

 veal the truth. In addition to what is known of the marine 

 mammals of our coast, the land forms occurring at Raleigh and 

 Asheville are c[uite well known, 36 at Raleigh and 27 at Ashe- 

 ville. From 15 to 20 species are known from Bertie County in. 

 the east and Roan Mountain in the west. From 7 to 12 species 

 are on record for eight other localities. 



***** 



Such is the condition of our recorded knowledge of the fauna 

 of the state. I have not attempted to discuss the flora, though a 

 study of it would be included in any attempt at comprehensive 

 Biological Survey work, but I doubt not that in the flora as 

 wdth the fauna, much is already known, with many equally 

 important gaps in the record. Upon this point our botanical 

 members may, if they wish, enlighten us at other times. But 

 we know they have not been negligent in the study of our varied 

 forms of plant life, and we may hope that their ambitions will 

 not be satisfied until they thresh out the questions of occurrence 

 and distribution upon a reasonably comprehensive scale. 



The collection of such data as I have been attempting to dis- 

 cuss is what we may properly term Biological Survey work. I 

 have attempted to show that it means more than the mere listing 

 and description of species. Of equal or even greater importance 

 is the mapping out of the regions where the species occur, and in 

 the case of those whose activities are seasonal, of defining the sea- 

 sons when their important activities are evident. The need of 



