PREFACE. 



In presenting to the scientific public Volume IV. of the Proceedings of the Dav- 

 enport Academy of Natural Sciences, the Publication Committee enteitains the 

 hope that it may be found not unworthy its predecessors. In its preparation some 

 discouraging obstacles have been encountered, but through the generous support of 

 friends of the Academy, here and elsewhere, these have been successfully sur- 

 mounted, and it is now conijileted, reajly for distribution, with only a sliglit indebt- 

 edness, whicli, it is confidently believed, will be easily liquidated from sales of the 

 volume. When it is considered that these publications are carried on without any 

 stated fund for the purpose, but relying entirely upon voluntary contributions, 

 lovers of science elsewhere should derive encouragement, and be inspired to similar 

 efforts by the success of the undertaking. 



The present volume contains a brief synopsis of the proceedings of the Academy 

 for the years 1882, 1883, and 1884. In its preparation the records of routine and 

 unfinished business, and of meetings of Trustees, have been omitted, in order that 

 greater space might be reserved for papers f)f permanent scientific interest. The 

 contributions to the museum during the years 1879, 1880, and i88i are also in- 

 cluded in this volume. 



As a matter of great practical interest, because of the encouragement it affords 

 to scientific study and research, the payment of the large indebtedness incurred in 

 the erection of the Academy building, and the commencement of a permanent en- 

 dowment fund, deserve special mention. This good work was accomplished in 

 1883, during the Presidency of E. P. Lynch, Esq. ; and while the citizens of Dav- 

 enport generally are entitled to grateful thanks for their generous contributions, 

 the timely and well-directed exertions of Hon. George H. French, Major George 

 P. McClelland, and Nicholas Kuhnen, Esq., in bringing about these satisfactory 

 results, are deserving of hearty acknowledgments from all the votaries of science. 



The present volume will be found to contain some valuable contributions, not 

 only to the flora of Iowa, but to the science of botany. Mr. J. C. Arthur has fur- 

 nished to it numbers V. and VI. of his "Contributions to the Flora of Iowa." 

 These papers, whicli commenced with the publications of the Academy, and have 

 gone through all its volumes, have lieen well received by botanists, and are re- 



