PLAN FOR A NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY.

By CYRUS THOMAS, of Murphysboro, Illinois.

All the work done by the Society, and every step taken, should be done in such a manner that it will not be necessary to go over the same ground the second time. But in order to do this, it is necessary to have some plan, some method of operating. Therefore, I, as an humble member of the Society, propose the following for the consideration of the Society:

First-in regard to our flora.

The Phenogamic plants of Illinois having been pretty thoroughly determined by our Western botanists, but little remains to be done so far as the determining of species is concerned. Nevertheless, this field is by no means finished; enough for more than one year's work remains for our most active botanists. Let the catalogue for the State be corrected and completed during the year; and in doing this, let the introduced plants be ascertained. and so marked in the catalogue. Let the suite of specimens at the Museum be completed, care being taken to furnish such specimens as exhibit most distinctly the specific characteristics.

Let another part of the next year's work be to determine the geographical range of our trees and some of the other most important plants. The Society during its present session making out a list for that purpose. And, also, to assist in this part of the work, I would suggest that the Society, during the present session, divide the State into districts, defining accurately the boundary of each. Let there be at least four, and probably five or six would be better. For instance: 1st-The Northwest-that part of the State west and northwest of the Illinois river. 2d-The North-that part east of the Illinois river and north of Bloomington. 3d-The Central-that part south of Bloomington and north of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. 4th-The South-Egypt.

And at the same time this should not interfere with the general division into prairie and timber, which runs through all. If this districting is done it will answer for both plants and animals. And although an artificial arrangement, which will give way to such divisions as Nature has established, yet it will answer a good purpose

in recording facts to be used in ascertaining Nature's boundaries and for future explorers.

And as another part of the work for the coming year, let our botanists make a commencement upon the Illinois Cryptogamia. Next-as to animals.

Let the list of mammals be carefully corrected and completed, and those not now to be found in the State so marked; and, as far as possible, the time of their departure ascertained. Also, let the geographical limits of each species be determined. And it should

be made a special point this year to place in the Museum a complete suite of our mammals (male and female,) and, also, a skull of each species.

During the coming year our Ornithologists should get ready their catalogue of birds.

Ichthyology and Herpetology will have to remain among the generalities another year.

Our Conchologists ought to be able during the year to prepare a complete catalogue of Illinois Mollusks, and furnish a complete suite of shells to the Museum. They can also make a commencement at determining the geographical distribution of species.

Crustacea and Arachnida will have to lie over until some one can be induced to take hold of them.

As to Insects, I propose that for the next meeting we prepare a general catalogue, including all the species in all the orders that have been and that we may be able during the year to determine as inhabitants of our State, but that our entomologists take specially in charge the list of Coleoptera, and try and render it as full as possible by next year.

Then, summing up, we have before us, for the year ending June,

1861

1. Correcting and completing the catalogue of Illinois Phenogamia.

2. Determining the geographical range (within the State) of our trees, and some of our other most important plants, and whether they are confined to prairie or timber.

3. Complete the suite of plants in the Museum.

4. Correct and complete the catalogue of Illinois Mammals, and determine the geographical range of each species.

5. Furnish the Museum with specimens of both sexes of each species, and a skull of each.

6. Prepare a catalogue of our Birds.

7. Correct and complete the catalogue of our Shells, and furnish the Museum with specimens of each species.

8. Prepare a catalogue of all Insects known to inhabit the State, so far as determined.

And besides all this let the general work of gathering and determining, in all departments, classes and orders, go on, especial reference being had to the early completion of our lists of Reptiles and Fishes.

So much in regard to the Flora and Fauna. Is the ground too extensive? Much of the work has already been done, and this is proposed in order to clear up and dispose of these branches, that our energies may not be expended in traveling over the same ground a second time.

It will also enable us to say to the people at large what particular specimens we want; what particular aid we need, etc. And then they are more willing to take hold and assist.

And to complete the plan, specific work should be assigned to such members as are willing to undertake it; and to them should be sent, first, the map of the specimens gathered in the State-to each, those of his particular class or order. And the Society, then, should extend to these members such aid, in the way of books, preservatives, instruments, etc., as possible, in our present weak state.

And to do this work most profitably, not only to ourselves, but the world at large, the Society, at its present session, should direct its executive committee to propose to the Smithsonian Institution to co-operate with that Institution.

The members should furnish the Society with a list of the works on Natural History they have. The reason is obvious.

Hoping the Society will consider these things and act according to the judgment of those present, I will close.

ADDITIONS TO THE FLORA OF ILLINOIS.

By Dr. GEORGE VASEY, of Ringwood, Illinois.

TO PROF. TURNER, President of the Illinois Natural History Society:

DEAR SIR:--The question is sometimes asked: What is your Natural History Society accomplishing? To answer this inquiry, so far as the Department of Botany is concerned, I propose to give a list of the additions which have been made to the Flora of the State, by members of the Society, and to make such remarks thereon, as may appear of interest.

The catalogue of Illinois plants published in the third volume of the Transactions of the Illinois Agricultural Society, was prepared by I. A. Lapham, Esq., of Milwaukee, partly from personal observations made in the State, and partly from the information of botanists residing in the State. This catalogue enumerates some one thousand and fifty-two species of plants; and, considering the means at hand for its preparation, must be considered as remarkably well executed. About this time, an interest was being awakened among Naturalists, which led tothe organization of the Natural History Society. In the next volume of the Transactions of the Agricultural Society, are three lists of plants additional to the catalogue of Mr. Lapham; one by Dr. F. Brendel of Peoria, one by Mr. M. S. Bebb of Marion county, and one by the present writer. There is also, in the same volume, a remarkably full and interesting article on the Trees and Shrubs of Illinois, by Dr. Brendel.

I also prepared for the annual meeting of the Natural History Society in June last, a list of additional species which had come under my observation up to that time, and also a list by Dr. S. B. Mead of Augusta. This list was subsequently published in the Prairie Farmer. Since that time quite a large number of additional species have been collected by myself in several excursions into different parts of the State. All these various additions I now incorporate in the accompanying catalogue. Beside the persons whose names have been already mentioned, there have been several others engaged in observing the vegetation of the localities where they reside. So far as is known to me, they are Dr. F.