ADVERTISEMENT. The United States National Herbarium, which 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 Agriculture, 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 responsibility 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. 2 |