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of articles. The nativity of the species is then stated, 
followed by a record of the source of the specimen, as to 
production, collection and donor. Special attention is 
given to the last mentioned portion of the record, in order 
to fix as perfectly as possible the authenticity of the article. 
In many cases, reference is made to the existence of the 
living plant in our conservatories or grounds, and to her- 
barium specimens representing the same collection as that 
of the museum specimen. 
The systematic work, carried on as above described, 
has disclosed the existence of hundreds of omissions of 
important articles, many of them capable of being secured 
with relatively little trouble or expense. A list of such 
articles has been prepared and their accumulation has been 
commenced, nearly a hundred having been secured since 
work on the guide was started. Many others will call for 
greater efforts, and some expenditure, during the coming 
season. ‘Their addition to the museum at this particular 
time, with their resulting inclusion in the guide, is a matter 
of great importance, and I trust that no failure to make 
the necessary provision for this work may be permitted. 
To do so would cause a serious imperfection in a work that 
will have a very extensive use for years to come. I am 
prepared to devote the coming season chiefly to this work, 
if the necessary means are provided. We can probably 
arrange with botanists living in various localities to collect 
for us about half of the articles, at very little expense. 
For the collection of others, I should have to do some travel- 
ing and collecting in person. I earnestly request that a 
special appropriation of five hundred dollars be made for 
this work. 
The portion of the work already completed has consumed 
almost the entire supply of jars provided for the year. 
About five hundred more, of various sizes, mostly medium, 
will be required for its completion, in addition to a lot of 
three hundred, of small size, to contain a special collection 
of rice samples, donated by Mr. E. B. Southwick. 
