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,” 
which it had 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. 
ALEXANDER WETMORE, 
Assistant Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. 
II 
