132 
IOWA ACADEMY OP SCIENCE 
For similar reasons, the fauna of the* lake district will reward our constant 
study. The varied flora, just described, insures a varied fauna. The waters 
teem with animal life. Probably the protozoa of the whole valley will be 
found hiding on the vegetation of these quite lakes and pools. Of course, the 
avian and vertebrate aquatic fauna are rich, and even the terrestrial verte- 
brates are likely to prove more than commonly worthy of investigation. While 
this is writing the papers tell of a mountain lion shot in one of the near-by 
marshy lakes! It is not believed that carnivores of size are likely to abound, 
not to such extent at least as to warrant a future visit from our nimrodic ex- 
president, but it is believed that natural science, in all its branches, entomology, 
ostracology, ornithology, will he greatly enriched by using such opportunity 
for research as Okoboji may afford. 
Again, Okoboji as the world knows is already a place of resort, thousands 
of people And summer . habitation on its shores. So that we find here un- 
equalled opportunity for bringing scientific work to the attention of people of 
every class and kind, and confessedly natural history work in all our schools, 
colleges and universities is too formal, too artificial, too much based upon 
material specially prepared, laid up in herbaria, or conserved in cases and 
bottles; the lakeside laboratory offers an opportunity to correct this, at least 
in some small measure. Ever since the immortal Agassiz stood bareheaded 
with that famous company on the rocks of Pennikese, the naturalists of the 
world, at least, have realized that the proper and reverent place for the study 
of natural objects is in their natural surroundings. Dry dead fungi are dusty 
labelled things, as meaningless as the stuffed skin of mammal or bird, or a 
fossil in a box; better than no exhibit at all, to be sure, hut poor indeed as 
compared with the natural world, where the fungus starts in the forest shade, 
the wings of bird or insect fan the sunny air, or the fossil speaks its signifi- 
cance from the stony pages of the riven quarry stone. The lakeside laboratory 
shall afford to all interested, for once at least a chance to see the real world, 
nature alive, accomplishing her miracles in their own silent splendor, often 
needing not, for the student’s appreciation, the voice of interpreter or teacher. 
A few words now may describe the provisions making for natural history 
work. The university alumni have purchased property for a plant. About 
five acres of ground with a cottage for administration purposes, a boat-house, 
pier, and so forth, are already the equipment. It is expected within the next 
few days to erect a building for laboratory uses. This building will offer 
office, library and laboratory for each professor in charge of a line of work. 
A large hall to seat 125 people comfortably will he accessible for general 
lectures, evening entertainments, and so forth, and from the university such 
apparatus will be supplied as to enable ordinary classes to work successfully 
in botany, geology and zoology. Boats and dredges also will be at hand, while 
public conveyances enable students to reach conveniently more distant points 
of interest. It is proposed to offer tents and cottages to all comers up to the 
limits of laboratory accommodations; at present a class of not more than thirty 
is in. contemplation; and simple meals will be obtainable at reasonable rates. 
The classes sought to be accommodated are; first, all students of nature 
competent to enjoy the laboratory method of instruction; the laboratory shall 
be open to anybody capable of using its privileges; second, teachers of biologic 
subjects in academies and high schools everywhere, who may desire to com- 
bine recreation with work and who may find in the service of the laboratory 
