INTRODUCTION. 
The Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, under whose auspices 
these bulletins are published, had its origin in 1862, as the museum of the old 
State Natural History Society of Illinois, and was continued in that relation 
until 1871, when, with the practical dissolution of the society, the museum was 
made over to the State. This action was taken in pursuance of an act of the State 
legislature making the continuance of certain appropriations previously granted 
in aid of the society contingent upon the transfer of the entire property to the 
State. 
From the time of this transfer the establishment performed the functions 
of a State Museum of Natural History as far as its limited resources and 
restricted quarters would permit, until 1877, when it was converted, in accord- 
ance with the law establishing a State museum at Springfield, into a natural 
history laboratory. By this law it was relieved from the necessity of maintain- 
ing a display of specimens, and charged with the collection, preservation, and 
determination of all zoological and botanical material for the museum, with the 
supply to the state educational institutions of the natural history material 
needed for the proper performance’ of their work, and to the State Museum of 
a series of specimens illustrating the botany and zoology of the State. By sub- 
sequent laws it was made the source of supply of zoological specimens to the 
public high schools, and was charged with the elaborate investigation of vari- 
ous zoological and botanical subjects having especial economic or educational 
relations. 
The operations of the laboratory now naturally took on the character of a 
more thorough and methodical natural history survey of the State than had 
been previously possible; and with a view to the publication of partial and 
preliminary reports of the results of this survey, and also for the purpose of 
giving to active local naturalists the encouragement afforded by a medium of 
prompt publication, this series of bulletins was begun in 1876. 
The first number was issued as the bulletin of the Illinois Museum of Nat- 
ural History, but the second, and succeeding numbers, as bulletins of the labor- 
atory. 
The series has now reached a size and importance which makes it desirable 
that the plan of their publication be changed for one more systematic and uni- 
form. The six bulletins thus far published are consequently considered to form 
a single volume, and a new volume has been commenced, which will be paged 
continuously, and divided, not into “bulletins,” but into articles, usually to be 
issued separately, as fast as ready. 
S. A. FORBES, Director. 
