Many scientists contributed to this experiment in scientific documentation and correlation 

 research. To all of them the gratitude of the Academy- Research Council is due. Chemists and biolo- 

 gists were widely consulted in the establishment of criteria for the coding systems; the names of these 

 individuals are listed in the present book, together with the names of committee and staff members 

 who took part. Also, besides the few to whom reference by name has already been made, special men- 

 tion should be made of the devoted services to the Center of Walter R. Kirner, its first Director (194 6- 

 1952), Karl F. Heumann, its second Director (1952- 1 956), and George A. Livingston, who was Acting 

 Director during the final year (1956-1957). 



After the Center was closed, George A. Livingston, Philip G. Seitner, and Ann S. Williams, all 

 of whom had served in its staff, undertook to prepare the Biology Code and Key for publication. They 

 critically reviewed the accumulated additions, corrections, and suggestions in the files and reconsidered 

 comprehensively the entire biological coding system. To Dr. Seitner fell the task of preparing drafts of 

 the several parts of the Code and Key for the many conferences among the three editors, and of putting 

 the manuscript in its final form. 



For their ready acceptance and faithful performance of an exacting assignment, the National 

 Academy of Sciences- -National Research Council here records its appreciation to Dr. Livingston, 

 Dr. Seitner, and Mrs. Williams. They have preserved a vital portion of the experience of the Center 

 and have insured that it will be available to scientists and documentalists who can benefit by it. 



S. D. CORNELL 



Executive Officer 



National Academy of Sciences- - 



National Research Council 



- iv 



