GRAY HERBARIUM HOLDS 750,000 RARE SPECIMENS

The Gray Herbarium, situated in the Botanic Garden, is now regarded as the safest, most conveniently arranged, and most fully equipped herbarium building in the world, it is stated in the article on the Herbarium to appear in the next issue of the University Guide in April.

The main collection of the Herbarium, the result of more than 80 years of continuous and carefully planned growth, contains about 750,000 sheets of mounted specimens, including all groups of flowering plants, ferns, and fern-allies, and representing the floras of all countries.

35,000 Volumes in Library

The library of the Herbarium, augmented by gifts and purchases for many years, now contains more than 35,000 selected volumes and pamphlets. It also contains several bibliographical card catalogues of notable extent and scientific importance. Dr. Gray's collection of autograph letters of noted botanists, numbering more than 1100, and accompanied by portrait engravings and photographs, was given to the library by Mrs. Gray.

The main collection of the Gray Herbarium, founded and largely developed by the late Asa Gray, was given by him to the University in 1864. At that time a brick building was provided for it, and to this original building were added in 1871 a laboratory and lecture room.

Owing to the growth of the collections and consequent need of more space, as well as to insure safety from fire, the entire building was taken down and rebuilt during the years 1909 to 1915. To secure maximum safety from fire, all woodwork was avoided, even the furniture being chiefly of steel. Since then very little change has been made in the external equipment.