Stour City Academy of Science and Letters. 31 
to be examined, classified and named. Though he re- 
tained them for years, he did not classify or name the 
specimen, and it was returned to us after his death. Here 
is work for the paleontologist. We also have some huge 
remains from Cherry county Neb., that should receive 
his attention. Another associated with us observed, 
identified and reported to Prof. Coulter quite a number 
of plants growing here not before listed as growing in 
Iowa. Another first directed the attention of members 
of our state geological survey to the till interbedded 
with the loess in the vicinity of Sioux City. Our Mr. Hos- 
kins from time to time has been the guide of eminent 
scientists who have visited this locality to inspect the 
geological formations here and at a time when they were 
of especial interest. The location of burial mounds and 
kitchen middens in this vicinity has been observed and 
reported to the Association and to the bureau of ethnoi- 
ogy at Washington. Mr. Quick’s report of pictographs 
found on the rocks near the Winnebago reservation was 
given place in the report of the bureau. 
We should not overlook the Indians now living on 
the Winnebago and Omaha reservations, near us. While 
the government has done much, the field of observation 
and interest there has not been exhausted. The native 
fauna and flora should be determined and catalogued 
before it is too late. A few years ago an orchid grew in 
one ravine about a mile north of North Riverside, but it 
can be found there no longer. Ina few years it is likely 
that the more delicate wild flowers of wooded ravines 
will be exterminated in the march of civilization, through 
its herds and the woodman’s ax. We must also give 
attention to the beginnings of that civilization here, the 
early settlers and their struggles and successes. An arte- 
sian well was sunk 2,000 feet in Sioux City, and speci- 
mens of the drillings brought up by the sand pump were 
preserved at the time. It may be that these can still be 
secured forthe museum. I need not now further enumer- 
ate work ready for our hands. That there is plenty of it 
is very evident. It is not incumbent upon us to complete 
the work, but we should begin it and do what we may, 
as best we may. Again I urge upon you, that the Acad- 
emy begin at once. 
