INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



During the summer of 1904 the University Museum of the University of 

 Michigan sent a party to Northern Michigan. The aim of the expedition was 

 to make an ecological study of the plant and animal life of the Porcupine 

 Mountains in Ontonagon County and on Isle Royale. The Porcupine Moun- 

 tains are about 120 miles west of Marquette, on the south shore of Lake 

 Superior; Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior, is near the north or Canadian 

 shore. Almost nothing has been known of the Natural History of these 

 localities, and collections from these regions have been almost completely 

 lacking in the Museum. Civilization has already exterminated a large 

 number of plants and animals from parts of Lower Michigan, so that it is 

 especially desirable that records and collections be secured from these north- 

 ern regions ere it becomes too late through the encroachments of civilization. 



The expedition was made possible through the generosity of certain public 

 spirited friends of the University, as the funds of the Museum are too limited 

 to carry on this very important line of work, without special aid. The 

 major part of the funds were the combined gifts of Mr. Bryant Walker, of 

 Detroit, Hon. Peter White and Mr. N. M. Kaufman, of Marquette, and to 

 these gentlemen in particular the University Museum is under great obligation. 

 The Board of Regents of the University generously contributed the expense 

 of transportation, not otherwise provided. Through the efforts of Mr. White 

 the party received transportation or special rates in the Northern Peninsula. 

 The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic R. R. gave a special rate to the party, 

 and the White Line Transportation Co., through Capt. W. H. Singer, general 

 manager, gave free transportation to the party to and from Isle Royale. 

 Through Mr. Henry Russel, the Michigan Central R. R. also gave the party 

 a special rate. The Washington Club of Duluth, through Mr. John Panton, 

 provided the party with excellent field headquarters upon their private 

 grounds on Isle Royale. The Marble Axe Co., of Gladstone, Mich., pre- 

 sented the party with a set of useful camp articles. In addition to the services 

 of the volunteer members of the party and those just mentioned many others 

 have aided in various ways. In behalf of the Museum I wish to express 

 my sincere appreciation for this cooperation. 



The field party was in charge of N. A. Wood, the Museum taxidermist. 

 He was assisted by A. G. Ruthven, who had charge of the scientific work, 

 and who directed it along lines outlined by the writer. The other mem- 

 bers of the party were Messrs. Otto McCreary, N. F. Macduff, Max M. Peet 

 and W. A. Maclean. All members of the party, except the leader, were 

 volunteers, and thus their contribution to the success of the expedition was 

 of a very substantial nature. Without their aid nothing could have been 

 acco'mplished. Upon Messrs. Wood and Ruthven fell the responsibility of 

 the party in the field, and to their care and foresight is due, in a large measure, 

 the success of the expedition. 



