266 
The Torrey BoTanicaL C.up, realizing the importance that the Government 
of the United States should possess, on behalf of botanical science, a complete collec- 
tion of native plants growing within its limits, for the benefit of those both from home 
and abroad seeking knowledge in that department of science, respectfully presents 
the following preamble and resolutions : 
Whereas, It has been represented to this Club that the botanical collections of 
the United States Department of Agriculture are incomplete as regards the representa- 
tion of many species of North American plants and their products, and 
Whereas, It is necessary for the successful prosecution of botanical investigation 
by officers of the Department, or by others who may desire to consult the collections, 
that these should be made as complete as possible in species, varieties and forms of 
American plants, and 
Whereas, The greater portion of the desiderata of the Herbarium can be procured 
by purchase or by the systematic employment of collectors in different portions of our 
territory at trifling expense as compared with the enduring value of such outlay : 
Resolved, That the Torrey BoTANIcAL CLus respectfully represents these facts 
to the honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, with the request that he give them the 
attention the subject demands, and in the hope that he may be enabled to secure such 
appropriations as will soon place this National Herbarium in its proper position at the 
head of American botanical collections, 
TuHos. Hoce, 
N. L. Brirron, 
Jos. SCHRENK, 
Committee. 
The following letter was received from the Audubon Monu- 
ment Committee of the New York Academy of Sciences: 
To the Secretary of the Torrey Botanical Club: 
Dear Str: The New York Academy of Sciences proposes to erect a monument 
over the grave of Audubon, in Trinity Church Cemetery, New York city, which shall 
be worthy the memory of America’s greatest ornithologist. It is estimated that from 
~ $6,000 to $10,000 will be required. 
The Academy desires to enlist in this undertaking the co-operation of its corres- 
ponding associations in all parts of America, that the enterprise or not be confined 
to New York, but shall represent the sentiment of all. 
The Committee respectfully requests that you bring the matter to the attention of 
your Club at its next meeting, and suggests the appointment of an officer or a com- 
mittee to solicit and collect funds, and with power to co-operate with this Committee 
in any other way that may seem desirable. 
Checks should be made payable to the undersigned and post-office orders drawn 
on Station H, New York city. All remittances will be promptly acknowledged and 
recorded in the Transactions of the Academy. 
Very respectfully, N. L. Britton, 
Secretary and Treasurer. 
On motion and carried, the President appointed Prof. J. A. 
Allen and Mr. E. P. Bicknell such committee. 
Rev. Dr. Geo. E. Post, of Beirut, Syria, then addressed the 
Club on “ The Flora of Syria and Palestine.” He remarked that 
