JANUARY 12, 1912] 
it has seemed that perhaps there might be, 
after all, such a subject as “biology.” 
But now when it seemed that the word 
“biology ” might really have a meaning there 
is issued from Washington this report, which 
even at very first glance belies its title. The 
real nature of the publication is indicated in 
the “Letter of Transmittal” in which it is 
stated that Abies 
The report consists of three parts. The first 
characterizes the five life zones which traverse the 
state, defines their extent and limits and discusses 
their agricultural possibilities. The second con- 
sists of a complete list of the mammals of Colo- 
rado with brief notes on their habits, distribution 
and economic relations. The third is a list of the 
principal trees and shrubs of the state observed by 
the assistants of the biological survey during the 
progress of work in the state, with annotations as 
to their distribution and abundance. 
Just why such an ambitious title as “ A Bio- 
logical Survey of Colorado” should be used 
for this report is nowhere stated and certainly 
is not apparent from internal evidence. 
If this were the first study of the kind ever 
made in Colorado it would be a most excellent 
work. ‘The material here presented, however 
new to the author, is very little of it new to 
science. Warren’s “Mammals of Colorado,” 
published in 1910, covers the mammals quite 
fully and numerous publications on ornithol- 
ogy and botany go far beyond the present re- 
port in most of the things mentioned in those 
branches. There are references to various 
publications on mammals and to one single 
botanical report, but apparently all the other 
information given by the author is from his 
own work. It is little short of marvelous that 
a young man with so little knowledge of the 
state, of its climate, its flora and its fauna has 
been able to prepare so good a report. 
The discussion of life zones is conspicuous 
for that perfect independence of thought char- 
acteristic of those who know nothing of the 
writings and opinions of others. It would 
seem worth while, before writing about the 
native animals or plants of a state, to consult 
the published works of men of science resident 
in the state. Thus many laughable mistakes 
might be avoided. 
SCIENCE 61 
It is a question worth considering whether 
the writer of “a biological survey” of any 
state would not do well to visit the museums 
within the state and make himself known to 
the naturalists who might help him in his 
work. The writer of “ A Biological Survey of 
Colorado ” according to his own account made 
his start from Boulder, but apparently did not 
take the trouble to visit the university there 
nor the museums in Denver, only 30 miles 
away. 
From a reading of the report under con- 
sideration one would imagine that his was the 
first biological work ever undertaken in the 
state, save certain previous work on mammals, 
to which scant reference is made. Eyen if “a 
biological survey” means an account of one’s 
own personal experiences in collecting mam- 
mals it would seem the part of candor to let 
the reader know that other men of science have 
at least looked upon the plants and animals of 
the region visited. 
It is to be hoped that the next time the 
Bureau of Biological Survey at Washington 
authorizes the prosecution of “a biological 
survey” of any state, provision will be made 
to make the body of the report agree with 
the title. It would be interesting to know of 
naturalists generally whether they conceive 
“biology ” to be synonymous with “ mammal- 
ogy ” and also to know whether an account of 
field trips made by one man is really “a bio- 
logical survey ” of a state. 
Francis RAMALEY 
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, 
BOULDER, CoLo. 
PHYSICAL LABORATORY INSTRUCTION 
Tue article in the December 15 number of 
ScIENCE, p. 823, by G. W. Stewart on “ An Op- 
portunity for the Spirit of Research in Lab- 
oratory Instruction in Physics,” seems to be 
a move in the right direction. One aid 
towards securing this spirit of research is to 
be found in dispensing with detailed instruc- 
tion sheets, and with apparatus that is set up 
and in adjustment. The best way in which to 
give instructions is in the form of a lecture, 
