48 
85- New Postage Law.— Partial Regulations under the New Postal Code, 
1872, P. O. Department, June 20, 1872. We have received this 
pamphlet from Mr. A. H. Curtiss of Virginia. Mr. Curiiss had 
written to the P. O. Department for information about some stray 
packages of plants, and received a note from James H. Maur, First 
Acting Assist. P. M. General, stating that “such packages should 
be mailed as 3d class mail matter at a pre-paid postage of two cents 
for each two ounces or fraction thereof,” and referring to §§ 133 and 
163 of the new Postal Code. Section 133 defines third-class maile- 
ble matter, in which areincluded seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and 
scions. By the decision of the P. M. General, obtained by Judge 
Clinton of Buffalo, and recorded in the Buttery, Vol. Il, No. 3, § 
17, “ botanical cuttings” would come under this head. Section 163 
of the New Code gives the rate of postage, “one cent for each two 
ounces or fraction thereof. Double these rates shall be charged 1a 
books, samples of metals, ores, minerals and merchandise prepat 78 
by postage-stamps.” Botanical specimens cannot fairly be included 
in this exception. We suppose that Mr. Marr looked upon them as 
merchandise, which they in no sense are, we think therefore that A 
on appeal this decision would be reversed. The packages nore 
be so put up that their contents may he inspected, and there shou 
be no writing, according to law, though there is great inconvenience 
in sending specimens without a label. The package must not ex- 
ceed twelve ounces in weight. 
86. New Publications—1. Seguoia and its History, There are proba- 
bly few of our readers who have not by this time read Dr. Gre 8 
Presidential address. The sagacity which long ago detected 7 e 
similarity in the Floras of the eastern shores of the northern cont 
nents and its probable explanation, finds additional evidence ie 
Heer’s more recent investigation of the fossil botany of the Areue 
zone, and Maximowicz’s “admirable collections in J. apan and adja- 
cent countries,” Dr. Gray’s discourse is one of the first essays ID 
what must bein the future a leading department in the science, V1: 
The History of the Evolution of Vegetable Forms.—2. Synopsis of 
New York Uncinule, by Chas. H. Peck, Albany. “The species of ei 
genus [of Zrysiphei] inhabit the living leaves of trees and shru te 
and make their appearance late in summer or in autumn.” “The 
number of species inhabiting this State is unexpectedly large, seve? 
being now known.” Se 
_ 87, Sedges and Grasses —Al who have specimens of these orders, i 
know of stations, will oblige us by communicating them at an ere 
day. We are in immediate want, also, of reports on Potamogetons 
and the succeeding orders of Endogens. : 
88. New Localities. Mr, Miller finds Myrica Gale, L.., abundant 9 : 
Wading River, and Mr. R. W. Brown reports Aseyrum stans, Mchx. 
from Keyport, N. J. 
Terms—One dollar for one copy; five dollars for seven ; and half a dollar forevery addition®. — 
copy, per annum. 
Local Herbarinm, 3, B. 330 St.—Reitor, 224, B. 10th St La 
The Club meets regularly the last Tuesday of the month in the Herbarium, Columbia College, at TAP. 
—— 
mae TET 
