Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1904 [PAGE 117]

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1903.]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OP TRUSTEES.

93

our immense accumuation of data and the preparation of the manuscript. The magnitude of this task may he judged in part by the fact that our Illinois collections of fishes are contained in over 12,000 tanks, jars, and bottles and have been made from nearly four hundred different localities throughout the state—much the largest and most comprehensive collection of fishes that has ever been made from any area of like size. Attempts to find competent aids in this direction among the graduates of other universities have thus far failed, but I am now encouraged to believe that Mr. R. E. Richardsson, a recent graduate of the "University of Illinois, will be found to answer this purpose. Mr. Richardson is now in charge of the Biological Station at Senachwine Lake, above Peoria, where Miss Charlotte Pinkerton, Artist of the State Laboratory, is likewise at work making drawings of fishes for the illustration of the report. Besides furnishing the necessary live specimens for these drawings Mr. Richardson is making special studies on fishes and on other animal and plant contents of the waters of this lake. I have to ask authority for the engagement of Mr. Richardson for such time as I may find expedient at the rate of $800 a year. Under arrangements made with Dr. C. A. Kofoid, formerly Superintendent of the Biological Station, he has, since going to the University of California in January, 1901, continued his work on a report upon the plankton of the Illinois River based on the work of the Station since its establishment in April, 1894. This report is now practically completed, and is passing rapidly through the press. It will contain approximately five hundred pages of text, sixteen voluminous tables, and fifty plates. It is much the largest and most important work ever pubislhed in this special field, and constitutes a first-class addition to our knowledge of equatic biology, and will undoubtedly be so regarded throughout the world. While completely technical and full of masses of scientific detail, it contains also a considerable quantity of matter available for general information, and especially for educational work in universities, colleges, and high schools. An edition of 1,250 copies will be printed for general distribution. I have also begun preparations for the publication of the next volume of the biological survey reports, which it is my purpose to devote to the economic entomology of the state, and for that purpose I have secured the services of Mr. P. M. Webster, for several years State Entomologist of Ohio. I have to ask authority to engage him for one year from July 1st, to give half his time to the service of the State Laboratory for the sum of $800. Mr. Webster is an economic entomologist of high standing, well known throughout the country, was many years one of my office assistants as State Entomologist, has since been in charge of the economic work in entomology for the states of Indiana and Ohio, and during much of that time has served likewise as a special agent of the Division of Entomology of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In these various capacities he has published many bulletins and reports, and I am entirely confident of his ability to serve me usefully and acceptably in extending our knowledge of the economic entomology of Illinois, and in aiding to prepare a comprehensive report on this subject which shall bring into one volume everything of importance known to us with respect to Illinois insects related in any important way to the industrial welfare of the people of the State. In this connection I am having prepared from time to time colored drawings of the more important insects, with illustrations of their work. The appropriations of the Laboratory are made, as heretofore, in the so-called omnibus appropriation bill which provides for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the State government. They amount to $9,500 per annum for the coming two years, of which $8,000 a year is for the expense of the State survey, $1,000 a year for the publication of bulletins, and $500 a year for the supply of natural history specimens to public schools. These amounts are identical with those appropriated for these purposes at the legislative session preceding. As the appropriations made in this bill bill are payable by the State Treasury only upon receipted vouchers filed with the State Auditor and approved by the Governor, they do not pass through the hands of the Treasurer of this Board. I have, nevertheless, prepared quarterly financial statements, accompanied by duplicate vouchers, and submit them to you for such examinations or audit as you may desire. Work on the distribution of specimens to public schools is now rapidly going forward, and twenty sets of such specimens will be sent out during the present summer in suitable boxes for their permanent preservation, accompanied by descriptive and annotated lists intended to make them available for practical use by high school teachers. I have now so organized this work that additions will be made to these contributions annually of such material as can be made ready from year to year. The only requests here made calling for immediate action by the Trustees are those for the appointment of Mr. R. E. Richardson and Mr. P. M. Webster, the first at a salary of $800 a year, and the second at the same salary for half his time. In conclusion, I beg to say that I should be greatly pleased to confer with any member of the Board or other University authorities who are intersted in the State Laboratory of Natural History, especially with reference to the more perfect utilization for educational purposes of its facilities and opportunities, either separately or in connection with the University departments of instruction. Respectfully submitted, S. A. FOKBES, June 6 1903. Director of Laboratory.