414. 
cerning the medicinal plants of the United States from every one in a position to ac- 
cord it. The principal points of study are as follows: 
1. Local names. 
2. Local uses, together with historical facts. 
3. Geographical distribution and degree of abundance in the wild state. 
4. Is the plant collected for market, and if so, 
(a) At what season of the year? 
(b) To how great an extent? 
(c)- How prepared for market ? 
(d) What is the effect of such collection wpon the wild supply ? 
(e) What price does it bring ? 
(f) Is the industry profitable ? 
5. Is the plant, or has it ever been, cultivated, and if so, give all information 
on the subject, particularly as to whether such supplies are of superior 
quality, and whether the industry has proved profitable. 
6. If not cultivated, present facts concerning the life history of the plant 
which might aid in determining methods of cultivation. 
7. Is the drug subjected to substitution or adulteration, and if so, give infor 
mation as to the plants used for this purpose. 
While it is not expected that many persons will be able to contribute information 
on all these points concerning any plant, it is hoped that a large number of persons will 
be willing to communicate such partial knowledge as they possess. 
It is not the important or standard drugs alone concerning which information is 
sought. The Sub Commission desires to compile a complete list of the plants which 
have been used medicinally, however trivial such use may be. It also desires to 
collect all obtainable information, historical, scientific and economic, concerning Our 
native and naturalized plants of this class, and, to that end, invites the co-operation of 
all persons interested. Poisonous plants of all kinds come within the scope of our in- 
quiry, whether producing dangerous symptoms in man, or simply skin inflammation, 
‘or, as “loco-weeds,” deleterious to horses, cattle and sheep. In this respect the gen- 
eral reputation of a plant is not so much desired as the particulars of cases of poisoning 
actually seen, or heard from reliable observers. 
knowledge can be obtained from Indians, Mexicans and half-breeds, and that, conse- 
‘quently, Indian agencies and reservations are particularly favorable fields for our in- — 
vestigation. Such knowledge will be most acceptable when based upon known facts — 
or experiments. 
In order to assist in the study of the habits, properties and uses of medicinal 
plants, the Sub-Commission undertakes to furnish the name of any plant-specimen re- 
ceived, together with any desired information available. 
Owing to the diversity in the common names of many plants, it will be necessary 
for reports, when it furnished by botantists or others qualified to state the botanical 
aainek wen scectaiaty, 16 ebsssck ee the same with some specimen of the plant suffi- 
nt, it should be appreciated that the labor 
of identification is very greatly decreased, and its usefulness increased, by the possession ae 
of complete material, that is, leaf, flower and fruit, and in the case of small plants the 
= underground portion also. It is best to dry such specimens thoroughly, in a flat con 
It is believed that much interesting 
