6 FIRST REPORT 
Still, while we recognize that the investigation of one animal 
points to the necessity of investigating others, that one sub- 
ject always leads to another and one problem inevitably sug- 
gests one or more others, we must admit that certain lines 
of zodlogical investigation were hardly contemplated in the 
organization of the survey, and more properly come under 
the purview of the University. Asa matter of fact, we must 
somewhat circumscribe the work of a state survey, always, 
however, with the understanding that exigencies may arise 
demanding a widening of the circle. 
In accordance with the view indicated above, the present 
plan of the State Zodlogist contemplates primarily the scienti- 
fic investigation of all those animals of direct economic im- 
portance, and, in accordance with section 6 of the law, the 
collecting and placing on exhibition in the museum represen- 
tative specimens of the animals of the state in such a way as 
to give them an educational value rather than a mere display 
value. 
The museum has been furnished with new cases, and the 
fauna of the state can be placed on proper exhibition just as 
fast as the material is collected and prepared and the necessary 
money is placed at the disposal of the curator. 
The importance, or rather the necessity of at once beginning 
the formation of a representative collection of the animals of 
the State, will certainly not need urging when the present con- 
dition of the museum is taken into account. 
Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true that not- 
withstanding the fact several papers have been published on a 
few groups of animals found in the state, the museum practi- 
cally has none of the material upon which these papers were 
based. Indeed in some cases there apparently was not even 
an attempt made to preserve the specimens that served for the 
description of new species, and we have absolutely nothing 
here for comparison. Comment on such methods of work is unnec- 
essary. Of the collection here now, many specimens are not even 
good show specimens. Many are without any data whatever, 
and many have only the name of the taxidermist added, while 
others have data so obviously out of place that they are 
practically valueless. Many of the really valuable things 
have been badly damaged by moths and other injurious in- 
sects, and the fire of two years ago and neglect previous to 
that time more or less injured everything. An amusing group 
is quite a collection of animals purchased to represent the 
