The Biological Survey of a River System--- Its Objects, Methods and Results

Abstract

The attention of biologists especially interested in the aquatic biota was naturally drawn, first, to the wonderful assemblage of animals and plants and the system of life in the great seas and, next, to those of the fresh-water lakes, concerning both of which there are ample stores of knowledge from various sources to draw upon ; but the rivers of the country have received so little comprehensive attention from our biologists that I do not know of a single attempt anywhere in America to develop and disclose the complete biology of a river system except that which has been made by us in Illinois, and it is for this reason that I am forced to make our own operations rather unpleasantly conspicuous.