INTRODUCTION. 



^ T the semi-annual meeting of the Board of Education of the State 

 Ta of Illinois, held at Normal, 111., on the 15th of December, 1875, the 

 &\^ following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : 



Whereas, Since the control of the Museum of the Illinois State 

 Natural History Society was transferred to the State Board of Education, 

 no general declaration has ever been made by this Board of the relations 

 and policy of the Museum, or of the purposes of the Board concerning it ; 

 and 



Whereas, It seems desirable that the students and friends of science 

 should know definitely and authoritatively the nature, scope and promise of 

 the work of said Museum, in order that they may intelligently co-operate with 

 its officers for the promotion of the scientific interests of the state ; therefore, 



Resolved^ That we regard the Museum as a State Institution, devoted 

 to the prosecution of a natural history survey of the state, to the encourage- 

 ment and aid of original research, and to the diffusion of scientific knowledge 

 and habits of thought among the people. 



That we consider it an important part of its work to supply collections 

 of specimens to the public schools, as far as this can be done consistently 

 with its own general interests, and especially to provide all needed facilities 

 for the instruction of teachers in natural history, and in the most approved 

 and successful methods of teaching the same ; and 



That we cordially invite the co-operation of the scientists of Illinois, 

 oifering them the free use of its collections, library and apparatus, and as- 

 suring them that whatever may be contributed to its cabinets or its funds 

 shall be used faithfully and impartially for the advancement of science 

 throughout the state at large. 



In pursuance of the first of the above resolutions, the issue of a series 

 of publications has been undertaken, which it is intended to devote especially 

 to the natural history of Illinois. These bullel^s will contain original 

 contributions to a knowledge of any department of the natural history of the 

 state ; such compilations, synopses, and the like, as will bring together 

 widely dispersed and virtually inaccessible published matter relating to the 

 local natural history, placing it in manageable form, within reach of the 

 ordinary student ; and papers of value on economical science. 



Within these limits it is desired that the publication may be made the 



