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 20 
 
 REPORT 
 
 OF THK 
 
 STATE OF ILLINOIS 
 
 Historical Irary.^ latiral History lusfiM : 
 
 JOSUA LINDAHL, PH. D., CURATOR. 
 
 .lAMAKY 2(), ISSl). 
 
 SPRINGFIELD, ILL: 
 
 H. W. ItOKKEK, I'ltlNTEK AN]> I'lNDEl! 
 
 18S1). 
 
 iU kit k\m] Wm Suiv!! 
 
REPORT 
 
 OF TlIK 
 
 STATE OF ILLINOIS HISTORICAL LIBRARY 
 
 AND 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. 
 
 .loSlA IJNDAHL. Til. D.. ('ik-atoi.'. 
 
 To tht^ Hoiioi-;il)l(' Bonrd of Trustf'fs of Hip Stnfc of fUuiois 
 Historic^] Li])r;iry <ni(J X,-itiirnl History Mnscum: 
 
 (Jentlemex: 
 
 I hereby submit to you the following report: — 
 
 The enoourag'ement by the g'oyernments of the yariouw States 
 of the Union of scientific resear<'h for the ]jur])Ose of aiding 
 pi-actical devt'lopnient, ya-i-ies considerably in tlie different States. 
 Approi)riations for the geological snryey, the care and 
 deyelopnient of the State Museum and the |niblication of 
 i-eports and bulletins on subjects connected therewith, and 
 1lic number of scientists connected with these institutions, are. 
 in most othei* northern States, east of the Mississip])i riyer. 
 larger than at present in Illinois. Tlic re])orts of tlie geologi- 
 cal survey uijidc lt\-, or undei- tlie direction of my distinguisluMl 
 ])redecessor. of which re])orts the last volume has been ready 
 for the printer more than two years, although foi- well known 
 reasons its ]>ul»li(a1 ion has been delayed until now. foini a most 
 yaluable contribution to tliat science, which teaches how to dis- 
 coyer and utilize the hidden treasures of the earth, and a contiibu- 
 tion etpmlly creditable to its learned authors and to the State 
 of Illinois. I>iit this, like all other brandu's of hunian knowl- 
 edge can neyer be exhausted, and every disc()^•eI•^• of import- 
 ance only widens the tield and opens To oui- yiew new fields of 
 
research whirh promise eonstantly increasinji: blessinjis to man- 
 kind. I will tKereforc express the hope that this State will 
 eventnally follow the exani])le of other States, and decide to 
 lia\'<' a second ;^('olo,iiic;d siii'\cy. 
 
 In the meantime no oi)i)ortnnit v shonld be lost to make our 
 ])eo])le familiar with all that we at pi-esent know of onr State's 
 natural histoi-.w in the broadest sense of this term. One way of 
 ])i-oni()ting' this object woidd Ix' by fi-e(piciil]\' ])ublishin<»' bulle- 
 tins from the State Museum. Sucli bulletins would be prefer- 
 able to large volumes, as they oould be ])ublished imme- 
 diately whenever needed, whilst the publication of larg-e 
 \'olumes generally involves ditficulties, and sometimes serious 
 loss of time. Geological discoveries are often apt to create a 
 "fever" — whether it be gas, oil or gold fever, or still other spe- 
 cies hitherto unknown. In such cases — and \vc have recently 
 seen a case of this kind in Ohio — the ])eople will not wait for 
 the publication of big volumes on the subject, luit ra]»idly waste 
 fortunes in wild speculations. 
 
 If the means of ])ublishing such bulletins be ])r()vided l»y the 
 Legislature now in session, I would ])i'oiioseto commence the 
 series with a dictionary of altitudes in Illinois, for which work 
 I have already obtained considerable material, mainly through 
 the courtesy of the various railroad companies in the State. 
 
 In a, subsequent issue I would juiblish descriptive lists of all 
 species of fossils hithei'to found within the Stnite. Such lists are 
 much needed and would encourage students all over the State 
 to add further contributions to our knowleilge of its pakeon- 
 tology. 
 
 Another way toward realizing the same object would be to 
 richly furnish the Stat<> Museum not onl,\ with an abundant 
 suppl\" of all the different forms of natural ]>roducts of the State 
 but also with sutticiently ani])le collections of similar obje»4s 
 from other ])a.rts of the world, to illustrate the relation. between 
 our indigenous s])eci(^s and those outside of the State or this 
 country. It would, h()\ve\(>r. not suthce to have these collei^tions 
 stored in the museum; they must be so arranged and labeled that 
 ail intelligent visitor shall be able to study the museum like a well 
 written text book. .V mus(Mim differs in this res])ect from a 
 mere cui-iosity-shop. t hat 1 he systcniat ic arrang(>ment of "labels 
 
« 
 
 with speciiiH'iis attached " is of still <>rpnt('riiiip()itaii(('toi-the<>vii- 
 cral iisefnliioss of the iiniscum lliaii the abiiiKhnicc or cxeelleiice of 
 the K])eciin(Mis themselves. Such an aiian*i('in('iit deniaiuls aia])l(' 
 s]»ac(', and I cannot too sti-on,iil\' c)n])liasiz(> the need of inocni-- 
 iii<i' a(hlitional show-cases, as a desideralnin of paranioiinl iin- 
 |)ort ance. 
 
 ^'hei-e is still ,•/ 1 liii'd \\;\\ of niakinii- 1 he Slate .Musenni a, 
 far-i-eachini;- source of kiiowledi;e of tlie iiatui-al historx' of t he 
 State, retiirnini;- a niaxinium of utility 1o the }»e()])le. I lia\-e 
 but little (h)iil>t that in the near future it will be found neces- 
 sary to introduce into the hi^h schools a short and ))ractical 
 cours(^ of ,ii-eolo,ii_\'. Then will b(> the time when not oid_\' a eoni- 
 ]>lete »;■('() logical museum will be more ap])reciate(l. but most 
 likelv the State Museum will be called u])ou to su])|)l.v the 
 schools with collectious of such s])ecimens as belouij:,' in the 
 State, siuce it would ])rove altogether too ex])ensive for the 
 schools to procure such collections direct from the various parts 
 of the State. 
 
 Thei-e is now in the basement of this building many tons of 
 matter which is, so to say, in chaos aud iu its present state of 
 no use to the public. Other collectious filling 576 draAvers in 
 the museum are iu but little better condition. While some of 
 this material may prove of A^alue to the peruuinent collection 
 in the- museum, most of it consists of duplicates which might 
 be utihzed, in the Avay above mentioned, for school collections: 
 Thereby the further advantage would be gained that the now 
 over-crowded drawers would be available for a better arrang'e- 
 ment of the ])ermanent collection. 
 
 I would also dii-ect the attention of the lioard to the fact 
 that a most vahmb](> collection of books and fossils is offered 
 for sale by the heirs of the la'te Ti-of. Wortheu. The acipiisil ion 
 of this collection for the State would be of immense advantage. 
 Not only does it contain the greater ])art of those very s])eci- 
 mens which sei-ved the authors of the geological i-e]K)i-ts of the 
 State as ''ty])es" in describing and drawing figures of new' spe- 
 cies, but its general collection of Illinois fossils exceeds that in 
 the Stati* .Museum both in number and ])erfei'tion of its spiM-i- 
 niens. While all the ••t_\])es"" and the most perfect of theothci- 
 specimens would be of immeasniable im])orlance to the State 
 
Miiscini). the i-ciiKiiiidfr would be ;i most \'fi]iuil)l<' addition to 
 1li(' collection of duplii ;itcs foi- disl i ihiil ion ;iiiioii<i' Tlic schools 
 or the Stntc. 
 
 The Stntp Museum luis. duriii<»' the ]){iKt year, been kept 
 o]»eii to the ])nbli<- e\-ei_\' week-day from 1) to 12 o'clock a. m.. 
 and from 1 to .1 o'clock p. M. The attendance has been vei-y 
 larj^e. Frefpieiit excui'sions from various parts of the State 
 brought great (-rowds of people to tlie musenm throughout the 
 summer and fall of last year and tlu' lively interest manifested 
 by the numei-ous \'isitors has been higldy encouraging. 
 
 My work since the commencement of my a])])ointment — on 
 the Dth of June last — has been divided between my writing desk, 
 where I have had a considerable correspondence to attend to. 
 the museum, ami a few tri])s to tlu^ northern counties of the 
 State, mainly with the view of increasing our eollections of fos- 
 sils of these regions. Numerous letters of inquiries have been 
 received and answered, although in many instances I have been 
 compelled to answer, that available documents do not furnish 
 the information asked for, information which could only be ob- 
 tained by new investigations at the ])lace. and for such woi-k I 
 had neither the i-ecpiisite a]i])ropiiati()n nor have I considered 
 it consistent with my duties as Curator to spend any considei-- 
 able time in assisting individuals while so much im]»ortant work 
 remains undone in the State Museum. 
 
 Many sam])les of ores and rocks have been sent to me for 
 determination. Finding no e(pii])ment here for such work I 
 have bought a microsco]):' and the most indis])ensable labora- 
 tory outfit ami thereby been able to accommodate some a]tpli- 
 cants. Several ])arti(^s havt' seni in s])ccim(Mis of fossils for 
 identification. Such icipiesls 1 lui\'e a ways attended to. and in 
 nmny cases the a])]) icants ha\e been p Cased to favor the mu- 
 seum with s])ecimens of value. 
 
 1 hax'c f(U- the prt\sent a lot of 2770 jtounds of minerals and 
 fossils, etc., from the State Normal Insiiiution at Normal, and 
 will determine the same during the s])iiug. the agreement btMug 
 that all duplicates shall be distributed 1o schools in the State, 
 the incidental exixMises. such as transportation, being paid by 
 the said instit ut ion. 
 
A^'ll('ll the iiiiiscmii \\;is iiioxcd tVoiii the lliird lloor lo its 
 ])i-('seiit location, it w.is done, I am told? ])Mrtly dni-iiifi,' Pi-of. 
 AVoithcirs nl)S('iic(>. hv ;i iiiiui who lind no idf»a of tlic iiiiscliipf 
 li(> wns doiiiu- in ndxiiiu' U]) sjxM-iiiiciis ;nid lahcls. TlicN' wcr*' 
 never coinpletclv vc-nn-an^cd 1)\' Prof. Worthen, and i1 will he 
 a most delicate and time consnnnn<i,- task to do this, so as to 
 avoid mistakes. I liave commenced such work witli tlie collec- 
 tion of i-ecent shells, which ai-e now beinji,' monnted on wooden 
 tablets purchased for that }mri)ose fi-om tlie woik-slio])s of the 
 State T^niversity at rhani])ai<2;'n. 
 
 The nnclassitied collection stored in alcohol aud never be- 
 fore dis]»la\ed has been ])artly arranged in glass jars and classi- 
 hed. By far the greater part, however, remains untouched for 
 want of suitable glass jai's, the ])urehase of which would re(pnre 
 •fl ()().()(). a sum far exceeding the balance on hand of the year's 
 a])])i'0])riati()n for the museum. 
 
 The eminent pabi^ontologist, E. O. Ulrich, author of a val- 
 uable memoir on the fossil Bryozoa of Illinois, which will occu])y 
 the larger ])art of the eighth volume of reports of the geologi- 
 cal survey of this State, offered the museum a set of 200 slides 
 of thin sections of such fossils, ])repared for the microscope, at 
 the very moderate price of $70.00. These sections being identi- 
 cal to those which served Mr. Ulrich as types in drawing the 50 
 ])lates which illusti-ate the above named memoir, I have re- 
 garded it im])ortant to accept this offer so far, that I have 
 bought and ])aid for one-half of the set, hoping to secure the 
 remaining half in the near future. 
 
 The botanical collection has hitherto been stored in a case 
 in the small room adjacent to the State Library. It is not ac- 
 cessible to the public, and the case cannot de moved — being- 
 built into the wall of the room. This collection should be ke])t 
 in the mnsenni. where a suitable case ought to be ])ro\i(led 
 for it. 
 
 The collection of larger mammals will soon be i-nined b\- 
 dust and moth and tli()ughtl(>ss visitors, from want of ])i-oper 
 ])rotection. I'lins. foi- instance, the magniticent buffalo, p<'r- 
 ha])s the most sj)lendid specimen of this s])ecies in existence in 
 the world, exceedingly valuable and sim])ly impossible to re- 
 place, is exposed to coni]>lete inin because not i)lace(l in a glass 
 
6 
 
 case. Aiiothoi- such exniii])l(' is llic Irirjue and fine spcciiiicn of 
 the grhyAy bear/ fi-oiii which several of its ]>\<^- claws have been 
 broken off and canied away. 
 
 The librai-y of the nnisenni has since .June last received, as 
 donations from various ])arties, 1'U voliuiies ;nid 12 pamphlets. 
 These are at present the only books that are indis])ntably the 
 property of the musenni. 1 have hitherto had the use of the 
 library claimed by the heirs of Prof. Worthen as their ])ro]>eT'ty. 
 While most of this library consists of books that will alwnys be 
 needed, it does not contain by far encMigh for the classification 
 of the specimens in the museum. A lil)eral annual ai»pro]»ria- 
 tion for increasing the museum liVn-ary is indispensable foi- llie 
 proper classification of the collections. 
 
 The State University at rhampaign had. jirevious to my 
 appointment as Curator, received from the State Museum n set 
 of its duplicates, representing' all the classes of fossil animals 
 and plants from the various geological horizons in the State, 
 with the excei)tion of evertebrates of the coal measures. On 
 application from Prof. Charles W. Rolfe of the geological dt'- 
 partment of the said University, I have completed this set b\- 
 sending to the University a collection of 280 species — DT'"^ spe- 
 cimens — of evertebrates fl-oni the Illinois coal measures. 
 
 Besides his other duties the statute of May 25th. 1S77, 
 ["An Act to estabhsh a State Historical Library and Natural 
 History Museum"] imposes upon the Curator of the museum, 
 the duty of collecting and preserving books, manuscri])ts and 
 other matters illusti-ative of the early history of the State. For 
 very ample reasons this enactment has so far never Iteen ob- 
 served. For its observation my ])i-edecessor would have n<>ede(l. 
 besides time, something more than two em])ty hands and a 
 good will. 
 
 It has a]>])eare(l to me as eminently ]tro])er tliat the post- 
 humus volume of I'rof. Worthen's re])orts on the geological 
 survey of Illinois, siiould be adorned with a well executed por- 
 trait of the late Dii-ector of this survey, and with biograjihit- 
 sketch(\s of his lif(> and work. With the consent of nuMubers of 
 the old Hoard 1 invited N. W. Bliss, l-^sii.. of Chicago., and Prof. 
 C. A. White, of the U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, to 
 
lioiiof the iiKMiiory of the cloceased veteran in seience by ])re- 
 seiitiiifi' such sketches for the said ])nr])Ose. Botli of them liave 
 been pleased to accept 1 he in\it at ion. and I ha\'e aii-eady re- 
 ceived theii- inainiscri])ts, that of Mr. JMiss mainly sketchine- 
 Prof. \Vortheii"s ])rivate life, while that of Prof. White is exclu- 
 sively devoted to his scientific work. The appropriation for 
 tJH' printing- of Vol. VIII not allo\vin<»- the introdiicino' of ;iii\' 
 addition to the orieiual mannsciipt, I be<i- to sn<i<iest that jjro- 
 per measures be taken for securing,- the fuiuls necessai-y for this 
 ]»urpose. 1 would also suggest that a special edition of the bio- 
 graphy, with ])ortrait, be prepared for distribution among the 
 lat(* Professoi-"s i-elatives and personal friends. 
 
 For' above reasons 1 would submit to the Board the desir- 
 al)leness of i-ecommending the following appropriations, besides 
 salaries, viz: 
 
 1st. a sum of f200 as an addition to the appropriation 
 for tlw piv.sent yenr, mainly for the purchase of glass jars foi- 
 the c(dlections in alcohol. 
 
 '2\). A sum of flOOO nnnunUv for the incidental ex])enses 
 of tlie museum and its library. 
 
 'M). A sum of fl()(X) mmimlly for ])ublishing bulletins on 
 subjects relating to the geology of the State, and to the collec- 
 tions in the State Museum. 
 
 4th. a sum of firiOO for the ]mi-chase of additional show 
 cast's; and 
 
 .■)TH. An addition to the ap])ropriation for the publication 
 of the eighth volume of geological reports, so as to cover the 
 ex})enses for the ])ortrait and biography of the late Professor 
 AVorthen. inclnding an extra edition of 2(M) c()])ies of this 
 biogra]»h_\'. 
 
 I would also fuithei- submit to the Board to considei- what 
 should l)e dont': 
 
 1st. With regard to the Historical library, and 
 
 2i). \\\\\\ leo-ard tt) the Worthen collection. 
 
 i "^ 
 
 Voui's respectfullw 
 
 .lOSlA LIXDAHL, 
 
 Curator. 
 
 January 2()th, 1889. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/reportofstateofiOOilli 
 
3 0112 061867070