Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-15

ton Of plants and natural curiosities belonging
10 John AcArann, OF Philadelphia, to be ex.
Of Sef as dos x the r
submitted to this House at its next session."
LAIR OF MALARIA.
The condition OF that portion Of our city at
that period may be inferred from the follow
ing:
''7o the Congress OF the United States:
THE undersigned, physicians OF the city of
washington, respectfully represent:
That that portion Of the public grounds
situated between the nsylvania and Mary
land avenues, and I'd and Sd streets west, is so
situated, on account OF its broken and unculti-
stagDant water and other filth. and thereby to
prove q source OF fever, and more especially
during the spring and autumn. They therefore
pray that said grounds may be so encose1 and
cultivated, as hereafter to prevent the existence
OF the nuisance complained of, which endan-
gers the health Of strangers WHO may have &C.
caslon to pass those grounds, as well as those
who reside In the vicinity.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
{Signed)-Thomas Sewall, Alex McWilliams
Frederick May, Nath'l r. CausiA.
HARVEY LINDsLgY,
President Board OF Health"
washington city, January a, 1885,.
In 1886 Congress made an appropriation Of
5000 for conveying the surplus water OF the
Capitol to the Botanic Garden, making basin,
and purchasing fountain OF Hiram Powers,
and S3,6l4.O4 was expended on this account.
"The National Institute for the promoIi lon OF
SCIENCE" incorporated by act OF July eth, 1912
became the residuary legatee OF the Columbian
Institute" and by permission OF the Secretary
of State It's collections were deposited In Tie
Patent Office.
BY direction OF Congress, the safe keeping and
arrangement OF such objects OF natural his
tory as were delivered to the government after
the return of the "Wilkes Exploring Expedt-
tt0n." were placed under the control Of the
Joint committee on the library and the bo-
tabical collection was provided for by them in
the space now occupied by the Patent Office,
the removal of this valuable collection to the
site of the present botanical garden.
BY the act of May Is, 1850. an appropriation
OF $4,000 was made for the removal OF the pub
thereat. to some suitable side On the public
grounds, and for the erection OF such other
greenhouse as may be deemed necessary by the
joint committee on the library, to be expended
and under the supervision of the Commissioners
OF Public Buildings" The original greanh ouse
first erected on the Patent Office grounds. and
removed under the above authority. Is now used
for the collection of extra tropical plants" or
such as require an extra degree OF heat and
many OF the original plants brought home by
Commodore Wilkes still remain In this house.
In 1856, the valuable collection OF plants
brought home by the Japan expedition under
Commodore Perry, was placed here and add-
lions thereto are being made annually by a ju.
diciOus system OF exchanges With the most
prominent botanical gardens of the world. Tue
propagation of new plants and Seeds resulting
from the careful management for the past thirty
years, and wise distribution OF these valuable
specimens, has been the means OF inculc Ating
strong desire for more extensive knowledge
or botany In the minds OF many, and We hope
TO see more liberal system Of appropriations
on the part OF Congress, in order that It's use
fitness and value may be increased and more
widely known.