306 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



somewhat similar institution for general science, supported on an in- 

 ternational basis, and suggests as one import-ant function the publi- 

 cation of the International Catalog of Scientific Literature, but 

 eventually in greatly enlarged form. 



It is of interest to note in this connection that the publication of 

 bibliographical works in all branches of science formed one of the 

 topics of discussion at the Interallied Conference on International 

 Scientific Associations held in London October 9-11, 1918, and was 

 among the subjects referred to a special committee of inquiry to be 

 convened later in Paris. The view was quite generally manifested 

 that irrespective of existing publications elsewhere it was important 

 that complete abstracts and bibliographies of science should be pub- 

 lished in the Allied countries. It was apprehended that the income 

 from the sale of these publications would not defray the relatively 

 high cost of preparation and printing, and the plan of Government 

 subsidies was advocated for their support. 



Whatever may be the developments along international lines, a 

 distinct increase in the facilities afforded by abstract journal- in the 

 English language is already in evidence. At the outbreak of the 

 war chemical literature was receiving quite comprehensive treat- 

 ment in Chemical Abstracts and the Journal of the CI ' So- 

 ciety, and the A\ vit w of Applied Entomology had been established 

 the previous year for abstracts in thai subject, hut as regards the 

 sciences related to agriculture these journals stood virtually alone in 

 the comprehensive character of their reviews. A limited number of 

 abstracts as well as bonk reviews have, of course, been published by 

 Phytopathology, the BuUetm of the Torrey Botanical Club, the 

 Jownal of Home Economies, the Journal of Dorr)/ 6 . and 

 certain other periodicals, but in none of these cases has a complete 

 summary been attempted. 



In L916, Physiological Abstracts was begun by the Physiological 

 Society of Great Brit a in and Ireland, with the cooperation of the 

 American Physiological Society. Abstracts of Bacteriology, pub- 

 lished by the Society of American Bacteriologists, followed in 1917, 

 and in the same year the Veterinary R( view began an extensive ab- 

 stract section. 



Most recent of all is Bota nil al Abstracts, the initial number of 

 which appeared in September, 191S, and contained 206 abstract-. 

 This publication is now a monthly serial. " furnishing abstracts and 

 citations of publications in the international field of botany in its 

 broadest sense." and is therefore of special interest. It is announced 

 that the membership of its board of control is to be representative 

 of some thirteen North American botanical organizations. Among 

 these are Section G (Botany) of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, the American Genetic Association, the 



