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 Herbarium,” 
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. 
RicHarDd RATHBUN, 
Assistant Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, 
in charge of the United States National Museum. 
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