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ADVERTISEMENT. 
The United States National Herbarium, which was founded by the 
Smithsonian Institution, was transferred in the year 1868 to the 
Department of Agriculture, and continued to be maintained by that 
Department until July 1, 1896, when it was returned to the official 
custody of the Smithsonian Institution. The Department of Agri- 
culture, however, continued to publish the series of botanical reports 
entitled ‘Contributions from the United States National Herba- 
rium,” begun in the year 1890, until, on July 1, 1902, the National 
Museum, in pursuance of an act of Congress, assumed responsibility 
for the publication. The first seven volumes of the series were issued 
by the Department of Agriculture. 
RICHARD RATHBUN, 
Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 
Il 
