378 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



ate members, are often of more value to botanical science, than the description 

 of so-called new species, established on some remains of a peculiar form, and of 

 unknown relation. 



The number and diversity of the plants published in this volume, tend to 

 indicate the richness of the fossil flora of our Coal Measures, and at the same 

 time, show an increasing activity in research. 



The publication of the fossil flora of the second volume of the Geological 

 Survey of Illinois, has excited a remarkable interest for botanical palaeontology. 

 Not only private gentlemen have given their time to the collection of speci- 

 mens, but local societies have been formed for encouraging research, and 

 founding cabinets of fossil plants. We can therefore hope soon to see our fos- 

 sil flora in America as thoroughly studied and as well known as that of Europe, 

 where this field of science has been ardently worked for more than a century. 



Among those to whom the survey is especially indebted for the communica- 

 tion of valuable material used in the preparation of this Report, thanks are due 

 to Mr. Jos. Even, of Morris, who. after the loss of his valuable cabinet by fire, 

 has begun again his researches with renewed zeal and great success ; and to 

 Mr. S. S. Strong, of the same place, who has most liberally presented the State 

 Cabinet and myself with a large number of specimens of rare and new species. 

 Messrs. M. Prendel and John Collins, also of Morris; Mr. M. S. Hall, for- 

 merly of Wilmington, and Mr. Thos. Tijou, of Dnquoin, have also furnished 

 valuable contributions to this Report. As, moreover, the assistants of the State 

 Geological Survey were instructed by the State Geologist carefully to look for 

 and preserve specimens in their explorations, and as the Director of the Sur- 

 vey and myself worked hard in collecting specimens as often as opportunity 

 permitted, the amount of materials which have been examined for this report, 

 and which now mostly belong to the State Cabinet in Springfield, are exten- 

 sive and of great value. 



