STATE ZOOLOGIST. 4 
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 with 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 effort 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 afew 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’’ 
