LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



DIVISION OF BOTANY, 



Washington, D. (7., January 5, 1900. 



SIR: Under date of November 8, 1897, a letter was received from 

 Dr. Eugene A. Smith, State Geologist of Alabama, as follows: 



In connection with the work of the Geological Survey of Alabama, and as a part 

 thereof, Dr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, has prepared an elaborate account of the plant 

 life in the State. Deeming this work a most important and timely contribution to 

 our knowledge of the Southern flora, as it discusses the character, distribution, and 

 general aspects of plant life in Alabama in a broad and philosophical manner, I 

 believe that it would prove of interest to a larger section of our country than the 

 region to which it is confined by its title. In order to secure, therefore, a more wide- 

 spread distribution, allow me to suggest the propriety of publishing it as one of the 

 contributions from the United States National Herbarium. I may add that I am 

 induced to offer this valuable manuscript for publication to the National Herbarium 

 because under present financial conditions of the State Survey its publication would 

 probably be delayed for an indefinite time, and thus its immediate usefulness would 

 be impaired. 



Dr. Mohr is now and has been for several j^ears a special agent of 

 the Division of Forestry of this Department, and there being, there- 

 fore, no obstacle in the wa} r of accepting this manuscript, I earnestly 

 recommend compliance with the courteous suggestion of the State 

 geologist of Alabama, Dr. Smith, and I desire to take this opportunit} r 

 of acknowledging the obligations of this Division, both to Dr. Smith 

 and to Dr. Mohr. 



The report is in part a complete enumeration of the plants of Ala- 

 bama and in part a discussion of the various natural belts and areas 

 of vegetation into which the State is divided, with a full description 

 of the vegetative characteristics of each. 



I have, therefore, the honor to transmit the manuscript for your 

 final approval, and recommend its publication as Volume VI of our 

 series of Contributions. 

 Respectfully, 



FREDERICK V. COVILLE, 



Botanist. 

 Hon. JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



