ADVERTISEMENT. 



The United States National Herbarium, wliicli was founded by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, was transferred in the year 1868 to the 

 Department of Agriculture, and continued to be maintained by that 

 Department until July 1, 1896, when it was returned to the official 

 custody of the Smithsonian Institution. The Department of Agri- 

 culture, however, continued to publish the series of botanical reports 

 entitled "Contributions from the United States National Herbarium," 

 which it had begun in the year 1890, until, on July 1, 1902, the 

 National Museum, in pursuance of an act of Congress, assumed re- 

 sponsibility for the publication. The first seven volumes of the 

 series were published by the Department of Agriculture. 



Richard Rathbun, 

 Assistant Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, 



in charge of the United States National Museum. 



