18 ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 
Mr. T. L. Hankinson reports progress in field studies on the 
fish and associated aquatic forms in the streams about 
Charleston. 
Mr. A. G. Vestal has made minor studies of local inclusions ~ 
of prairie within forest on south-facing ravine-slopes, and upon 
invasion of prairie into forested areas in the rights-of-way of 
railroads. These studies are being reported for the present 
meeting of the Academy. 
An experiment is being started in the planting of an artificial 
assemblage of prairie plants upon the campus of the Eastern 
Illinois State Normal School. Some are transplanted and 
many of the more quickly growing plants are being started 
from seeds. Favorable opportunities exist and are being used 
for the study of mixed associations of forest herbs and prairie 
plants. 
Mr. Vestal is preparing to map a township near or at 
Charleston to show original boundaries between forest and 
prairie. These boundaries can be made out in many places, 
and an attempt will be made to map a sample area. 
Dr. F. C. Gates reports upon plant collections made by 
students of Carthage College, leading to a better knowledge of 
the plant life of Hancock county, and upon the bird work of a 
class of college students, the product of which has been pub- 
lished as the April (1917) number of the Carthage College 
Bulletin. Miss Mary A. McMillan has made a comparison of 
the trees found in cemeteries within the county with those of 
the natural vegetation, and Mr. J. R. Peters has studied weeds 
in relation to crops in Hancock county. 
Preparations are now being made for a survey of existing 
forests of the state, in which the members of the Ecological 
Committee will participate, their traveling expenses being paid 
by the Natural History Survey. An emergency survey of the 
plant parasites of important crops has also been undertaken, in 
cooperation with the U. 8S. Department of Agriculture, as a 
piece of war work. All the field agents of the Survey and the 
members of the Ecological Committee will participate in this 
inquiry, which is under the general control of Dr. F. L. Stevens, 
professor of plant pathology in the University of Illinois. 
Respectfully submitted. 
Srepuen A. Forges, Chairman of Committee. 
