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INTRODUCTION 
The present volume is intended to serve a double purpose. 
_ The comprehensive nature of the law authorizing the Natural 
History Survey of the state might lead the reader to expect 
much more than the limited time and means at our disposal 
made possible. This report, therefore, while putting in per- 
gt manent form such data as came to hand during the few months 
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occupied in its preparation, will best serve its purpose if it in- 
- dicates in a general way the kind of observations and records, 
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the nature of the problems and the method of investigation 
: ie desirable for the future work in this department within the 
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state. The greatest barrier in the way of the preparation of 
_ this report was the almost absolute absence of anything like 
’ ‘scientific interest in zoology in the state. There were no re- 
liable data available, nor were there persons prepared to collect 
- such data intelligently. It is a matter of congratulation that a 
-- permanent bureau has been established in connection with the 
University for the prosecution of such studies as naturally fall 
to the lot of a Natural History Survey, and the general dissemi- 
et nation of the scientific spirit and attainments may yet make it 
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‘possible to preserve the records of the natural biological 
phenomena of Minnesota, now rapidly being obliterated by 
the changed conditions accompanying the encroachments of 
- civilization. 
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As a compensation for this loss, however, a not less inter- 
esting set of problems growing out of the adjustment of the 
native population to the incoming one presents itself, and these 
questions have a theoretical as well as practical significance 
difficult to over-estimate. 
Of course the collection and description of all the species of 
mammajlia still existing in the state is an obvious duty in con- 
nection with the preparation of such a report. The omissions 
_and errors which of necessity exist in the present essay will 
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soon doubtless be made good by the activity of the Mammalian 
Branch of the Agricultural Department, U. S. A., under the 
direction of Dr. C. Hart Merriam. 
