INTRODUCTORY 



It is the purpose of this Bulletin and its successors, if such 

 there may be, to show somewhat the work done in the 

 laboratories and museums of Natural Science in the State Uni- 

 versity of Iowa, and to publish such contributions to the 

 knowledge of the natural history of the state as occasion and 

 opportunity may afford. No S3'Stematic biological survey of 

 the State has ever been attempted, much less effected. During 

 the last thirty years contributions have been few and far 

 between. Meanwhile changes incident to the occupancy of 

 the country by civilization are rapidly sweeping away much 

 that would be of special value and interest in such work. It 

 is far from the purpose of the pi^esent editors to attempt such 

 survey now. They can hope no more than to bring before 

 those interested some idea of the natural history of the state 

 of Iowa, and of the manner in which it may be studied; 

 hoping in this way to stimulate an interest in such things suf- 

 ficient to lead to greater results in the future. 



The editorship for the present will be as follows: 



For all subjects relating to Biology, Geology and Palasont- 

 olog}'. Prof. S. Calvin. 



Botany, Prof. T. H. McBride. 



Systematic Zoology and Museum, Prof. C. C. Nutting. 



Conchology, Prof. B. Shimek, (now of the University of 

 Nebraska). 



Entomology, Mr. H. F. Wickham. 



