PREFATORY NOTE. 
The present part is a continuation of “Contributions from the U.S. 
National Herbarium,” Vol. i, No. 1, issued June 27, 1891, and contains 
the Gamopetale of Western Texas. As is well known to botanists, 
the materials for the compilation of this part are far more accessible 
than for any other, as it has to do with the only completed portion of 
Gray’s Synoptical Plora, of w hich, naturally, very free use has been 
made. So far as the sixth edition of Gray’s Manual has been availa- 
ble for a simplified presentation of the Texan flora it has been used. 
The evident appreciation with which the first part has been received 
not only testifies toits usefulness, but also encour: iges the writer again 
to invite the pointing out of all sins of omission and commission in 
which such a tentative work must abound. 
JOHN M. CouLTER. 
STATE UNIVERSITY, 
Bloomington, Ind, 
