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PKEFACE. 



Several years a^o Prof. Henri Pittier, while actively engaged in 

 studying the plants of Costa Rica, invited ^fr. C. B. ClarkCj then the 

 greatest living authority on the C;y'peraceae, to prepare a synopsis of 

 the genera and species of that family found in Costa Rica, This work 

 was gladly undertaken by Mr, Clarke. Soon after the synopsis was sub- 

 mitted Professor Pittier left Costa Rica to accept a position in the De- 

 partment of AgriculturCj in Washington, and after his arrival offered 

 the paper to the United States National Museum for publication, 

 Mr. Clarke having died in the meantime, it seemed desirable to pub- 

 lish it with as little change as possible. As it was prepared iu Latin, 

 however^ tlie Advisory Conmiittee on Publications recommended that 

 it should be translated into English, and Dr. E. L. Greene was asked to 

 prepare the manuscript. In performing tliis task Doctor Greene has 

 followed as closely as possible the terms and phrasing of Mr. Clarke's 

 papers written in English. Further changes consist in the with- 

 drawal of the bibliography following each species name, the arrange- 

 ment of the synonomy in chronogical order, and the insertion of the 

 dates of publication. The names of periodicals have also been sub- 

 stituted in the citations for subtitles, and a number of names which are 

 clearly nomina nuda have been withdrawn. One 'new specific name 

 has been changed because it was found to be a homonym. 



J. N, Rose, 



Acting Curator. 



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