PREFACE. 
The accompanying paper by Mr. Henry Pittier, of the United 
States Department of Agriculture, contains descriptions of some new 
species and other noteworthy plants, selected from several collections 
which have recently come into the possession of the United States 
National Museum. These collections form a most valuable addition 
to the herbarium, and their richness in new and rare species 
emphasizes the need of still further field work in tropical America 
and the more extensive study of the plants already collected. 
J. N. Ross, 
Acting Curator. 
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