Laboratory of Natural History, an ecological reconnaissance 

 of the aquatic habitats of the Illinois river at Havana in com- 

 parison with those of the period before the opening of the 

 Chicago drainage canal, some of the results of which studies 

 will be presented in a paper to be read today. 



The committee greatly desires the assistance of the Academy 

 in two directions. First, we should have a larger number of 

 local workers engaged, like most of us, in ecological studies 

 within their own neighborhood ; and, second, the State Labora- 

 tory of Natural History should have an increase of its appro- 

 priations sufficient to enable it to engage seriously in state- 

 wide studies of types of habitat, with a view to the construction 

 of an ecological map of the state. It naturally falls also to the 

 State Laboratory to prepare a synopsis of the various species of 

 animals not sufficiently described in works available to the 

 student, without which local work must be done imperfectly 

 and under very serious disadvantages. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



Stephen A. Forbes, Chairman. 



T. L. Hankinson, 



Victor E. Siielford, 



H. A. Gleason, 



E. N. Transeau, 



Frank C. Baker. 



CiiAS. C. Adams, 

 Urbana, 111., Feb. 18, 1910. 



T. IV. Gallozi'ay. — "Mr. Chairman, I should like to ask whether 

 your ecological committee has yet found itself able to do any- 

 thing in the determination of the ecology of Illinois biologists 

 themselves." 



T. J. Burrill. — "I am glad to sec that the committee has not 

 only announced plans, but has made positive contribution in 

 this work. The report shows how much wiork there is at our 

 own doorstep in our immediate neighborhood." 



Isabel Smith. — "In Morgan county we are trying to prepare 



