FM 
in its prominent crystalline forms, differs from that of Lime- 
stone creek. The fossils of Skaneateles creek are not those of 
Onondaga Valley in variety and abundance. 
The moraines of this valley have no such representatives 
elsewhere. Every botanist knows that there are similar differ- 
ences in the plants. The prevailing types are the same, but each 
valley has individuality. The separating hills are like garden 
walls, restraining or excluding plants and sometimes animal life. 
A mere suggestion of this fact is enough. 
Now we might profitably take a tier of towns from east to 
west, and observe their scientific facts, or we might concentrate 
our sttidy on one of these valleys, as seems to me better. When 
one is mastered, it will be simpler work to differentiate the others. 
In its physical features Syracuse lies in the most interesting of 
the five. Its salt springs and marshes give it an unusual charac- 
ter, the prominent quarries afford fossils in profusion, its evi- 
dences of glacial action are unusually fine, a great city becomes 
the starting place of some naturalized plants, and Onondaga Lake 
is visited by birds seen nowhere else. It would seem that a con- 
centration of observation and study on this, our central valley, 
would be productive of good results. Nearly all parts are very 
easy of access, and this is a great necessity in studying some 
forms of life. In their season and in that line we might gain 
some knowledge merely by observing what kinds of game are 
brought here for sale. 
I used to have an idea of writing a monograph on Onon- 
daga lake. Its fish and shellfish I know; its Indian relics I have 
seen in large part, and have often trod its early sites. Many of 
its plants I have observed but not all. So my plan was once a 
week through the summer to make its circuit, and observe all 
that was new. When a couple of trips had been made, the rest 
would be easy. That done I could write my paper. 
It would lack one thing. We have fairly good maps of the 
lake, and a fair idea of its bottom, but all might be done with 
more accuracy, and a yacht club should know the soundings and 
perhaps give its aid. In the Skaneateles library hang two maps 
of Skaneateles lake. One was a free hand drawing by Capt. 
