154 ERYTHEA. 



We learn through a private letter recently received from 

 Washington, D. C, that the Herbarium of the Department 

 of Agriculture, known as the " United States National Her- 

 barium," has been given into the possession of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. Messrs. Rose and Pollard and Miss 

 Vasey have been officially transferred with the Herbarium. 

 We judge that Mr. Rose, who has beeu for a long time con- 

 nected with the Herbarium, will be placed in charge of it 

 under the new order of things. 



The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon John 

 Muir, the Californian mouataiueer, by Harvard University, at 

 the June commencement-exercises. 



The following new or noteworthy Cacti introduced into 

 European cultivation from Lower California are mentioned 

 in the Bulletin duMusee cVHistoire ISfaturelle, u. 8: — Cereus 

 Cumengii, C. Digneti, Echinocactus Peninsulce (a plant 7 to 

 8 feet in height), Opnniia Alcahes and O. Cholla, the latter 

 being also met witli in Southern California. Fuller details 

 are given in the Journal de la Societe Nationale d^Horticul- 

 ture de France for February, p. 226. 



Professor C. S. Sargent, of the Arnold Arboretum, 

 Prof. W. H. Brewer, of Yale, Arnold Hague, of the United 

 States Geological Survey, and Gifford Piuchot, of New York, 

 members of the National Forestry Commission recently 

 appointed under the auspices of the National Academy of 

 Sciences, according to Act of Congress, have been for some 

 time upon the Pacific Coast, investigating the condition of 

 the government forest-lands, with the excellent purpose of 

 taking active means to prevent the reckless devastation of 

 our fast diminishing forest-areas. The board commenced its 

 western tour of inspection at the beginning of July, the 

 itinerary including North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, 

 Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada 

 and Colorado. We heartily commend the work thus inaugu- 

 rated and trust that it will be thoroughly and perseveringly 

 pursued. The matter of forest conservation has been taken 

 in hand none too soon. — J. B. D. 



