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 U. S. National Herbarium,” begun 
in the year 1890, until, on July 1, 1902, the National Museum, in pur- 
suance of an act of Congress, assumed responsibility for the publi- 
cation. The first seven volumes of the series were issued by the 
Department of Agriculture. 
Ricuarp Ratupsun, 
Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 
