40 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCHICK AND INDUSTRY. 



1. Of forming indexes to standard works at present with- 

 out them, and of enlarging and re-editing indexes already 

 made. 



2. Of compiling subject indexes of science, literature, and 

 art. 



3. Of accumulating materials for a general reference index. 

 The want of such an organization has been so generally 



felt for many years that the committee appeal with conli- 

 dence for support to all classes of readers. In almost every 

 department of knowledge the student finds it well-nigh im- 

 possible to keep himself acquainted even with the literature 

 of his own subject; and on all sides the need of registration 

 is painfully felt. It is to meet this difficulty that the Index 

 Society is formed. Under the second head the programme 

 is to form hand-lists of various departments of science and 

 literature, containing notices of books and papers in journals, 

 and transactions of societies (British and foreign) ; general 

 subjects such as astronomy, biology, mythology, anthro- 

 pology, philology, etc.; eras of history; great men; great 

 authors. It is intended that each of these hand-lists or read- 

 er's guides shall be drawn up by one who is thoroughly ac- 

 quainted with the subject he undertakes, and therefore able 

 to bring important communications to the front. No attempt 

 will be made at a full bibliography ; but while accuracy in 

 details is strictly attended to, the titles will be reduced into 

 a tabular form. Persons engaged in the formation of index- 

 es are requested to communicate with H. B. Wheatley, Esq., 

 Secretary, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W. 



The Royal Society of London has printed Vol. VII. of its 

 Catalogue of Scientific Papers. It includes the initials A- 

 HYR (1864-73), and is on nearly the same plan as the ear- 

 lier volumes. It is edited by Mr. Henry White. 



Secchi has published " L'Astronomia in Roma nel Pontifi- 

 cato di Pio IX." a pamphlet of fifty-one pages, with three 

 plates. It is a sketch of the founding of the Observatory of 

 the Roman College, and of its labors in many fields. 



The Observatory of Harvard College lias issued a pam- 

 phlet, prepared by Assistant Waldo, on "Standard Public 

 Time," "for distribution anions those interested in a com- 

 mon standard of public time throughout New England ;" and 

 also a circular to New England cities, etc., on the same sub- 



