26 BANISTERIA NO. 2,1993 Miscellanea The Virginia Journal of Science has been, in general, The Origin of Banisteria and the an exception to the above attitudes and restrictions. Virginia Natural History Society However, this journal has historically published the results of specific studies and the occasional natural The Virginia Natural History Society and its journal history observation. With the exception of several natural Banisteria had its roots in discussions of the role of history-oriented symposia published between 1987 and natural history in academic institutions. A trend that 1991, the emphasis seemed to be placed on papers and developed in the 1980s in Virginia colleges and universi¬ symposia dealing with subjects other than natural history ties, indeed in many such institutions in the United and organismal biology. I found it frustrating to have to States, was away from organismal biology and toward wade through papers on unrelated subjects in order to those disciplines which examined molecular and cellular find papers on natural history topics. A forum in which processes. Two attitudes on the part of administrators to interact with other people interested in natural history and some biologists seemed prevalent* (1) that the study for its own sake was also lacking. of the parts of an organism was more important than the Finally, I had experienced a number of instances study of the whole organism and the context in which it where useful natural history data and observations were lives, and (2) that the use of high-tech instruments in the in danger of being lost forever had I not salvaged them. laboratory was more alluring to students than field There are many useful records and data in the drawers biology. Many with whom I talked lamented the continu¬ and files of scientists and laypersons that will never be al loss of organismal courses, such as mammalogy, available to people who would find them useful unless herpetology, and those in other disciplines. Such courses there is a means of bringing them out. I envisioned a taught by older faculty were, and continue to be, mechanism that would make hidden but useful informa¬ dropped when these professors retired. tion permanently available to the rest of us and to In addition, the increasing emphasis on university history. And, I envisioned a means by which natural researchers having to successfully acquire grants with history papers would not have to compete for publication overhead funds in order to receive promotion and tenure space. placed additional significance on laboratory and high- Discussions over 1987-1991 with other biologists tech studies. Grants for high-tech research frequently sharing similar concerns, particularly R. L. Hoffman, C. have overhead costs included, whereas only infrequently B. Knisley and T. F. Wieboldt, and several lay persons are overhead costs part of field-oriented grants. Further, interested in natural history, led me to conceive of a overhead is seldom a part of grants in the growing field state-level journal that would serve as an outlet for a of conservation biology. Hence, my concerns were fueled wide range of natural history observations derived from by the change in focus in institutions of higher learning research conducted in Virginia. In 1991,1 asked Richard and the attitudes on the part of an increasing number of L. Hoffman to join me on this project It was he who administrators and academic scientists that the study of suggested the name Banisteria for the journal. natural history was old fashioned and “unscientific.” We subsequently asked colleagues whether they would Journals that once devoted space to natural history contribute papers to such a journal. The reception was have increasingly turned down such contributions, one, encouraging and at the 1991 meetings of the Virginia because of the attitudes about what constitutes scientific Academy of Science at VPI&SU, we passed out the first advancement and two, because of the high costs of announcement and solicited financial contributions. The publication. The number of workers in many disciplines results confirmed our original perception, as 14 people has increased and journal space is more and more and a local chapter of a national professional society devoted to papers addressing broad questions. There are contributed money directly to me to help start Banis¬ few publications available for natural history manu¬ teria. The society was only an idea at the time. Several scripts. Many of my colleagues have become increasingly colleagues subsequently contributed manuscripts and R. concerned that natural history data and observations L. Hoffman and I wrote or helped to write several useful to land managers and conservation biologists have others. Each manuscript was reviewed by at least one become increasingly difficult to publish. But the only colleague other than Hoffman and me. The first issue of permanent way for information to be accessible to those Banisteria was finally published on 13 November 1992 needing it is via publications. with the help of Rick Boland of the Virginia Museum of MISCELLANEA 27 Natural History. It contained 10 papers dealing with have noticed, we expanded our membership categories. various aspects of the natural history of the Common¬ Also, the Executive Committee was enlarged with the wealth. addition of three Councilors. They include Richard J. The Virginia Natural History Society (VNHS) was Neves, Thomas J. Rawinski, and Carolyn Wells. established after the seminal publication of Banisteria. On August 5, we organized a successful field trip to It had quickly become apparent that we needed an some mountain tops in southwestern Virginia, concen¬ umbrella organization. Several of our colleagues became trating on grass-feeding small invertebrates. These were enthusiastic about a society devoted to natural history just a few of the many activities of the Society this past and saw the value in offering a forum to both academic year, and we hope to expand further our activities next natural historians and lay persons. Thus, Michael Kosz- year. Your suggestions will be appreciated. tarab agreed to be the society’s first President, Barry The members of the Executive Committee join me in Knisley the first Vice-President, and Anne Lund the expressing our thanks for your support We are all Secretary/Treasurer. These officers have taken the looking forward to another successful year. initiative and have formed a solid foundation for the future development of the VNHS. Michael Kosztarab The first public organizational meeting of the VNHS President VNHS was on 20 May 1993 at the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science in Norfolk. It was there we ratified the Constitution, officially elected the officers (as noted above, plus three Councilors), and inaugurated the Announcements Virginia Natural History Society. 1. The First Annual Meeting of the Virginia Natural Joseph C. Mitchell History Society will be held on 19-20 May 1994 at James Department of Biology Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA in conjunction University of Richmond with the Virginia Academy of Science. The VNHS will Richmond, VA 23173 organize a new section entitled "Biodiversity and Natural History." Members and others wishing to present papers in this section should send their titles (only) to the Section Message from the President Secretary (and VNHS Vice-President) Dr. C. Barry Knisley, Dept of Biology, Randolph-Macon College, This is my first chance to greet all members of The Ashland, VA 23005 by 1 February 1994. Additional Virginia Natural History Society before the closing of the information about the meeting may be obtained from the first successful year. We have made excellent progress. Virginia Academy of Science, Dept of Biology, University Anne C. Lund, our Secretary-Treasurer, reported that of Richmond, VA 23173. our fiscal affairs are in order and that the membership is around 130 at present Thanks to the diligent work of 2. The Virginia State Library and Archives will present our two editors, Joseph C. Mitchell and Richard L. "All the Ornaments of Nature," a chronological journey Hoffman, and the enthusiastic support from members, through its collections of visual and literary observations the first issue of Banisteria was well-received. A number of Virginia's flora and fauna. The exhibition will feature of institutions have already subscribed to it The second writings and illustrations of about forty 16th to 20th issue will be even broader in coverage of topics than the century artists and natural scientists, including John first one and longer. We are also including in this issue Banister, Mark Catesby, John Clayton, and John J. some space devoted to Society business. All of these cost Aududon. The exhibition will run from 12 October to 20 the Society extra money, thus the reason to increase December 1993. Additional information may be obtained yearly dues and subscription rates. These changes were by calling Janice Hathcock (804-786-7133) or Suzanne aporoved by the Executive Committee during out Arnold (804-786-2311), or by writing the Virginia State meeting of May 1, 1993. Library and Archives, 11th Street at Capitol Square, The enclosed Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Richmond, VA 23219-3491. the Society, prepared by C. Barry Knisley, were adopted at our Norfolk meeting on May 20, 1993. As you may