THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 



The Bulletin on the Lichen-Flora is the initial number of a 

 series of publications in which the Geological and Natural History 

 Survey of the Chicago Academy of Sciences proposes to discuss 

 the plants, animals and geological formations found in the vicinity 

 of Chicago. In this first issue it may be well to briefly outline the 

 history and state the objects and aims of the survey. 



On the 10th day of May, 1892, the Academy of Sciences 

 unanimous^ adopted the recommendation of its Executive Board 

 that a committee of three be appointed from its active membership 

 to conduct a topographical survey of Chicago and vicinity. At the 

 June meeting of 1892 the Academy adopted the recommendation of 

 this committee to enlarge the scope of the work so as to embrace 

 the natural history of the region; the work to be known as the 

 Geological and Natural History Survey of the Chicago Academy 

 of Sciences. Three general departments were decided upon : 

 Geology and allied sciences, Topography, Zoology and Botany. 

 It was further decided that the work in the several divisions of 

 these departments should be entrusted to men recognized as 

 specialists, and published as bulletins and reports, which should be 

 as nearly monographic as possible. 



Since the organization of the survey, the work has been steadily 

 progressing, and a large amount of data has been collected. It is 

 eminently fitting that before studying the rocks and higher forms 

 of vegetable life, the lichens should be taken from the boulders 

 and the bark and made the subject of the first issue. 



The survey comprises a labor both of economic and scientific 

 value. The publications on geology and topography are awaited 

 with great interest by contractors, engineers and scientific men 

 generally. The co operation of practical men in the preparation of 

 these reports has been spontaneous and very general. It is pro- 

 posed to show the character of the rock strata underlying our area, 

 their distance from the surface in different localities, the nature 

 of the materials resting on the rock, the depth necessary to reach 

 water, and such general information as will assist builders, well- 

 borers and engineers in the prosecution of their professions. With 

 this will be reports on the geological formations, their origins, 

 extent and relations to the present condition of affairs in Chicago 

 and vicinity. There are many features of our local fauna and flora 



