IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
169 
thorough investigation of the situation, and careful thought, 
might suggest some plan more feasible for our state than that 
followed in our sister state. Illinois has a state laboratory of 
natural history that is studying the life of the state. We have 
no such authorized laboratory. But we have our State univer- 
sity, our Agricultural college, and other colleges broadcast 
over the state whose scientists are interested in biological 
problems, and who would certainly agree that the study of the 
life in our own lakes and streams, and the solving of oe^ologieal 
problems of our own fauna and flora are of paramount impor- 
tance. Some work is being done along these lines by members 
of the teaching forces of the various schools. But more wide- 
reaching and better results could be obtained by organized 
effort. The life of our lakes and streams is comparatively 
unknown. 
S uch a station could be made of great value to the educational 
interests of the state. Provision could be made for a summer 
school of biology, where students could study our common 
every day forms of life in the midst of their activities. Not all 
in regard to an animal or plant is learned by cutting up an alco- 
holic specimen. The station should have a course of stuly so 
arranged that a student from any college in the state upon tak- 
ing it would receive credit for it as actual college work. If he 
is far enough advanced to conduct original investigations let 
him receive credit for work done. Another course should be 
arranged that would bring the station more closely in touch 
with the broad educational interests of the state; that is, a 
course for the benefit of the public school teachers, a course 
supplying more directly the needs of science teachers over the 
whole state. 
If the colleges of the state would combine in agreeing to 
accept work done by their students at the station during the 
summer under competent direction, as college work, it would 
encourage some to accept of facilities which may now be beyond 
their reach. And the colleges might do more; some Dwight 
equip and support a table at the station for the most worthy 
students desiring to take advantage of the opportunity. 
The scientific and educational possibilities of such a station 
are many. If financial possibilities were as many and as bright 
as the educatimil, then a biological station in Iowa would be 
easy to found. But how could it be founded and maintained 
without money ? And under the control of what body should 
