Soilfci' of till' ^/fss/ss/j/j// Ji/i'i'/'. Tii'Oii'i-r 
2!tl 
Washington county fiiiuia, one may tabulate the range of the 
rehited species in the St. John group, as follows: 
Divrsrox 1 (Acadian). 
Band. 
b. 
c. 1. 
c. 2. d. 
Conocorvphe triliueata 
x 
X 
Olenellus asaphoides 
Microdescies conuexus 
X 
Linnarssonia taconica 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Orthis salemensis 
X 
The affinities of these species are thus as far as one can see 
with species of tlie Ji(j\ver Paradoxides heds. both American and 
European, but we may also note that there are no species recog- 
nized as identical. This may be accounted for either by regional 
diversity, or by a sliuht difference of age. 
THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 
.1. V. BitowEK. St. I'Mul. Minn. 
Geographical discoveries in the state of Minnesota having lieen 
erroneously (questioned and persistently misrepresented, the Min- 
nesota Historical Society and citizens caused a detailed hydro- 
graphic survey of the Itasca l)asin to l)e made, and an exhaustive 
report thereon has been completed. Antedating the publication 
of the report, the following information is given in advanci". for 
the information of those who desire the perpetuation of geo- 
graphic facts and the truth of history, the same having been 
called for by his excellency, the governor of the State, and (hdy 
reportt'd. 
[COI'V-I 
^[iNNKSOTA IIlSTORIC.VL 80CIKTV, 
St. Pall, Feb. 13, 1880, 
To J. V. Brmrt'i'., St. I'll, id, Minn. 
Sir: Reposiui^ especial confidence in your ability, inteiirity and uood 
judgment, the Minnesota Historical Society, together with otlier .-similar 
societies who maj' imite with ns for this object, dues hereby appoint and 
commission you to make a careful and scientific survey of lake Itasca 
and its surroimdings, witii rlie view of determining, l)y a thorough ex- 
amination of tlie spot, and of all its physical features, under all circum- 
stances, what is the true and actual source of the Mississippi river. 
AVe therefore request you to select such a corps of assistants as you 
may need to properly carry on such survej', and proceed to lake Itasca, 
prior to the opening of spring, to take the necessary observations with 
the above object. 
