INTRODUCTION. 



In the Autumn of 1899, the writer began the 

 ecological study of Big Spring Prairie, situated in 

 Wyandot, Seneca, and Hancock counties, Ohio. This 

 prairie is about ten miles long, and from one half to a 

 mile wide. From its shape, it might aptly have been 

 termed Horse-shoe Prairie. It orginates just north of 

 Carey, in fact a portion of it lies within the corporate 

 limits of the town ; thence it extends four miles in a 

 northwesterly direction; here, making a sweeping curve, 

 it extends three miles westward; again widely curving, 

 it extends three miles in a southwesterly direction, 

 ending about one-half mile north of Vanlue, Hancock 

 coimty. About two and one half miles of prairie lie in 

 Wyandot county, about the same extent in Seneca 

 county, and five miles in Hancock county. The widest 

 portion occurs in Seneca county, where it curves to the 

 westward, the next widest in Hancock county, where 

 it curves to the southwest. 



The term prairie has been applied to the more or 

 less grassy plains of the treeless regions both east and 

 west of the Mississippi River. The eastern prairies 

 differ in many particulars besides size, from those in 

 the extreme west near the foot of the Rockies. Between 

 these limits, we may find all gradations in specific 

 characteristics. The typical eastern prairies are prop- 

 erly natural meadows; some, in fact, border on the 

 semi-marsh type. This belt comprises the region from 

 the eastern prairie limit to Missouri and Iowa. West 

 of this there is a gradual • gradation through the steppe 

 type to the semi-desert near the Rockies. 



The most striking differences between the eastern 

 and western prairies are the climatic factors of rainfall 

 and general humidity of the atmosphere. 



