143 



observers. They are the best that can be obtained. The 

 author's chief object in presenting this paper has been to awaken 

 interest in these phenomena, in order that more and better 

 observations may be secured in the future. 



H. S. Pepoon then presented the following paper : 



THE FOREST ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTHWESTERN 



ILLINOIS. 



A large area in northwestern Illinois, which, roughly speak- 

 ing, occupies practically all of Jo Daviess county, except a 

 narrow strip along the northeastern border, and a small 

 portion of the adjacent counties of Carroll on the south and 

 Stephenson on the east, is or rather was occupied by almost 

 continuous forest growth. In Illinois, as a rule, the wooded 

 lands lie adjacent to streams, but here there is no such distri- 

 bution. Ridge and valley alike have this forest covering. The 

 accompanying map will show the distribution of woods, which 

 sustain a remarkably close relation to that peculiar physio- 

 graphic feature called the "driftless area." 



A very large percent of the original woodland has disap- 

 peared before the ax and "grub-hoe," and it is no exaggera- 

 tion to state that in many parts not more than ten percent of 

 the first growth remains standing, so that the aspect of large 

 areas is that of a rolling prairie ; but even now the remaining 

 portion is amply sufficient to form a basis for the study of the 

 forest associations, and all the more so because each passing 

 year further decreases the number of remnants. 



This paper, therefore, will partake of the historical as well 

 as the actual in dealing with the subject, and it is largely with 

 the idea in mind of preserving many interesting facts of dis- 

 tribution that it is undertaken. 



The Forest Associations are so intimately and vitally con- 

 nected with the character of the soil, the amount of water 

 supply, and the greater or less perfectness of drainage, that it 



