ADVERTISEMENT. ^ 



The United States National Herbarium, which was founded by 

 the Smithsonian Institution, was transferred in the year 1808 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 U. S. National Herbarium," begun 

 in the year 1890, until, on July 1, 1902, the National Museum, in pur- 

 suance of an act of Congress, assumed responsibility for the publi- 

 cation. The first seven volumes of the series were issued by the 

 Department of Agriculture. 



Richard Rathbun, 

 Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

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