OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



history of the state. Information upon the plants and animals 

 existing in the state is so evidently desirable that the arguments 

 for it seem hardly necessary. It nmy be briefly mentioned, how- 

 ever, that aside from the scientific questions as to distribution, 

 abundance, increase, decrease, and extinction of species in the state 

 all of which should be investigated before further changes occur, 

 tl re is a great need of investigation in connection with, various 

 interests. They would form a sound foundation for the more 

 exact teaching of science in our schools, a branch which is becoming 

 more and more of fundamental importance in education. They 

 have a very direct and important bearing upon the public health. 

 Their service to the medical ]5rofession, represented by the Board 

 of Health would no doubt be fully appreciated. The aquatic 

 resources o.f the state, especially the fisheries interests, dependent 

 upon the aquatic life of various forms would be enormously helped 

 by an exhaustive study of the aquatic life of the different rivers 

 and lakes. 



While the Academy can through its individual members con- 

 tribute considerably to the desired end, in such investia:ation the 

 progress must oi necessity be slow and there would seem to be 

 every reason why investigations in this line as in Geolog}^ and 

 Archeology should be directly supported by assistance from the 

 state. Natural History SuTveys are in progress in a number of 

 different states and their results have p-roved of the utmost import- 

 ance both as aids in education and as a foundation for economic 

 applications. If the suggestion meets your approval it would seem 

 to me well worth while to appoint a committee to take this matter 

 intO' consideration and tO' suggest legislation to provide for such a 

 survey. 



Another item which has occurred to me at different times is 

 the representation of different branches of science in the Academy. 

 The work during recent 3^eairs has been very largely in the line of 

 Geology and Natural History, a fact which is ver^^ easily accounted 

 for on the basis of the local interest in these subjects, but it seems 

 to me very desirable that tlie Academy have a strong representation 

 in other branches as well and there are, I feel certain, many ques- 

 tions which lie in other fields of science which might be studied 

 with advantage in connection with this organization. The chem- 

 ical problem® connected with our water supply, coals, soils, etc., 

 have certainly local interest and reports upon such problems would 

 be particularly welcome in oxir meetings. The only suggestion 

 in this connection I would offer now would be that our members 

 as individuals exert their influence with their associates and friends 

 in other branches of science, urge them to take part in our proceed- 

 ings and in any way possible encourage their affiliation with our 

 Society. The valuable Avork done by the Cincinnati Society of 

 Natural History is a good illustration of the usefulness of local 



