68 



THE RELATION OF THE Sl^ATE ACADEMY OF SCI- 

 ENCE TO THE NATURAL HISTORY SUR- 

 VEY OF THE CHICAGO ACAD- 

 EMY OF SCIENCES. 



F. C. Baker. 



The relation of the State Academy of Science to various exist- 

 ing institutions is a matter for serious consideration, because the 

 question is at once raised, "Can the State Academy perform any 

 ^vork which can not be equally as well done by some society 

 already estabHshed?" 



In addition to the social advantages offered by the State Acad- 

 emy it would seeiii that its most important work will be its re- 

 lation to the various institutions as a central governing body, so 

 far as the scientihc work connected directly with the State of 

 Illinois is concerned. 



Provision should be made for a complete biological survey of 

 the state, of such an exhaustive character as to leave no part 

 of the area unknown. Much of the past work has been scat- 

 tered over widely separated areas and has not been properly co- 

 ordinated. The state should be divided into distinct areas, 

 which should be thoroughly explored and the results co-ordi- 

 nated with other similar areas. The method used by the Nat- 

 ural Ilisiory Survey of the Chicago Academy of Sciences could' 

 be adopted witli equal benefit in a general survey of the state. 

 This survey covers Cook and Du Page counties and a part of 

 Will county, embracing an area of about 2,500 square miles. 

 Each lake, pond, creek and river has been thoroughly surveyed 

 by a number of collectors and students, and the results have 

 been turned over to the Academy and have resulted in the publi- 



