INTRODUCTION. 
^ T the semi-annual meeting of the Board of Education of the State 
7\ of Illinois, held at Normal, 111., on the 15th of December, 1875, the 
^4 ^ following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
Whereas, Since the control of the Museum of the Illinois State 
Natural History Society was transferred to the State Board of Education, 
no general declaration has ever been made by this Board of the relations 
and policy of the Museum, or of the purposes of the Board concerning it; 
and 
Whereas, It seems desirable that the students and friends of science 
should know definitely and authoritatively the nature, scope and promise of 
the work of said Museum, in order that they may intelligently co-operate with 
its officers for the promotion of the scientific interests of the state ; therefore, 
Resolved , That we regard the Museum as a State Institution, devoted 
to the prosecution of a natural history survey of the state, to the encourage- 
ment and aid of original research, and to the diffusion of scientific knowledge 
and habits of thought among the people. 
That we consider it an important part of its work to supply collections 
of specimens to the public schools, as far as this can be done consistently 
with its own general interests, and especially to provide all needed facilities 
for the instruction of teachers in natural history, and in the most approved 
and successful methods of teaching the same ; and 
That we cordially invite the co-operation of the scientists of Illinois, 
offering them the free use of its collections, library and apparatus, and as- 
suring them that whatever may be contributed to its cabinets or its funds 
shall be used faithfully and impartially for the advancement of science 
throughout the state at large. 
In pursuance of the first of the above resolutions, the issue of a series 
of publications has been undertaken, which it is intended to devote especially 
to the natural history of Illinois. These bulletins will contain original 
contributions to a knowledge of any department of the natural history of the 
state ; such compilations, synopses, and the like, as will bring together 
widely dispersed and virtually inaccessible published matter relating to the 
local natural history, placing it in manageable form, within reach of the 
ordinary student : and papers of value on economical science. 
Within these limits it is desired that the publication may be made the 
