GENERAL REPORT. 
liii 
limits of such papers, including in it descriptions generic and specific when- 
ever they are not to be found in the popular manuals of the eastern floras. 
The method pursued is that which seemed simplest and best adapted to 
the end in view, and scarcely needs elucidation. To tliis have been added 
in the Appendix concise synopses of most of the more recently revised genera, 
thus bringing together a considerable amount of material that may be found 
of use by those who have not ready access to the fuller origiunl pai)ers. 
Among these synopses are revisions of a few genci-a, {Orthocarpus^ Ahronia 
and Allium,^ which were prepared in connection with the present work. 
The collection, comprising a])out 19,000 specimens available for study, 
but not all ranking as herbarium specimens, is distributed into sets, of 
which the most complete belongs to the Herbarium of the Agricultural 
Department at AVashiiigtou. The second is due to Prof Ivit(m at Yale Col- 
lege, and the remaining sets will be donated to such hcil>ariums as may be 
designated. 
There now remains but the pleasant duty of grateful acknowledgment 
of favors and assistance received during the course of the work. Especially 
to Prof Daniel C. Eaton is the fullest expression of thanks due for all the 
facilities afforded by his well-appointed herbarium-room, placed at my com- 
mand from the outset of the work, for the constant use of his library and the 
procurement of needed books of reference, and for assistance of every kind 
rendered in innumerable instances, always most kindly and generously. J>y 
him also the Composita, of the collection, comprising of one-seventh of llic 
whole, were carefully determined and the resulting paper forms one of the most 
valuable portions of the Catalogue. Assistance in various portions of the 
w^ork has likewise been received from Dr. Gray and Dr. Torrey, in additictn 
to the free use of their herbariums whenever dcsin'd. Di-. (iEui:<.t: 
MANN, also, of St. Louis, has mwAv ready res[)()])se to every aj)j)lication for 
information and aid, and the artieh's ol" Col. Olm:y on the (Varices, <»!" Mr. 
Jamp:s on tlie ^fosses, of Dr. ItOBKiNS on Potanioircton, and of Prof Tucker- 
man on the Lichens, all pf()ni])t and tliorough in whatever they have under- 
taken, show tliat the most that was i)ossible has lu-eMi made by them of the 
material that was turnislied. 
SERENO WATiSON. 
August 28, 187L 
viii 
