3. 



tir* frank S, Collins of Maiden, Mass., who is the custodian of the 

 Middlesex Institute herbarium, on whieh the Middlesex Flora is based 

 has kindly consented t© preserve the identity of species from the 

 Fells and Beaver Brook Reservations and to place thaw in this her- 

 barium* 



She importance and value of the flora which it is proposed to 

 prepare will be recognized when it is understood that it is to be 

 made in connection with a study of the soil end rock formation and 

 geological history of the areas included as well as the forest con- 

 ditions and the fauna. 



In the forest study the distribution, character and condition 

 of the forest trees and the ground cover, and the natural and arti- 

 ficial influences and conditions that are responsible for this dis- 

 tribution and condition are to be considered and from the information 

 thus gained it is to be determined how best to manage the material 

 on the grounds so that Nature will be assisted in the restoration 

 of a permanently good and attractive forest and ground cover. 

 Any information as to the flora will have a direct bearing upon this 

 study. Iz should be distinctly the purpose in all theae observa- 

 tions and notes on whatever lines directed, to determine as accurate- 

 ly as possible the present condition of and the present life and its 

 distribution on the reservations, and the reasons for this condition 

 and distribution so that a comparison may be made in the years to 

 come to determine how far an intelligent effort to prevent the des- 

 truction of Nature's work will have changed the character and pres- 

 ent distribution, and added to the life upon these areas, and also 



