STATE ZOOLOGIST. 7 



fauna of Minnesota at the New Orleans Exposition. As one 

 looks at the pronghorn, the grizzly, the three-toed sloth, the 

 iguana, the toucans, the bird of paradise, etc., etc., the ques- 

 tion naturally arises, when did Minnesota have such a fauna, 

 and how were the animals preserved ? It is to be hoped the 

 exhibition at the coming World's Fair will not repeat this 

 ludicrous spectacle. The facts noted above in connection with 

 the fact that some animals formerly abundant in Minnesota no 

 longer even merely visit the state, and some of those still 

 within our borders are being rapidly driven out of the state, 

 certainly point to the necessity of at once beginning to collect 

 and properly preserve, with data, representative specimens of 

 the fauna of the state. In accordance witli this conviction, 

 and a desire to enlist the cooperation of all those favorably 

 located in the state, directions for collecting, preserving and 

 shipping specimens of animals are now being prepared for 

 gratuitous distribution to all interested in the work of the 

 survey. 



It must not be supposed, however, that we are attempting 

 to build up a general museum. Such a museum is impractical 

 at present and doubtfully desirable. At present we are 

 aiming at a comprehensive local state collection. 



The most valuable portion of any museum is always that 

 which is not prepared for display but is set aside in proper 

 rooms for reference and comparison. Of such a collection we 

 have as yet hardly a beginning. The working collection, how- 

 ever, has been begun and an earnest eifort will be made to 

 preserve in proper form and keep accessible all specimens that 

 serve as the basis for descriptions of new species or varieties 

 or that show interesting modifications or illustrate facts of 

 distribution and habit. In a few years this so-called working 

 collection will be far more valuable than the fine specimens on 

 exhibition and will require much less room, money and care. 



The groups of animals to which special attention is at pres- 

 ent being given by the field workers are : — the fishes, the 

 birds, the reptilia and batrachia, and the mammals. Other 

 classes are by no means neglected. Some lines of investiga- 

 tion, however important, can not be undertaken at present for 

 the want of laboratory facilities at the proper place. A lake- 

 side, or rather fresh-water biological station, is an imperative 

 necessity, and such a laboratory under the care of the Univer- 

 sity ought to be established now. In addition to being a place 

 for investigators it could be a resort for the "science teachers" 



