16 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
It was pointed out that the existing Catalogue of 
Scientific Papers was limited to periodical scientific litera- 
ture, and that the titles of books and monographs were 
not included, also that the titles were arranged merely by 
the authors’ names. 
The replies were numerous, and in most cases warmly 
supported the suggestions; they also referred in the highest 
terms to the value of the Royal Society’s Catalogue of 
Scientific Papers. 
The Smithsonian Institute and other American bodies 
also took up the matter most cordially, and offered many 
valuable suggestions for carrying out the details of the 
work. 
After a report had been received from the Committee, the 
Council of the Royal Society approached the Marquis of 
Salisbury, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and suggested 
that the British Government should invite certain other 
named Governments to appoint delegates to an international 
conference for the purpose of considering the matter. 
Favourable replies were received and a large number 
of delegates appointed, all of whom attended the Conference 
in July, 1896, except the delegate from Russia, who was 
absent from illness. 
The Right Hon. Sir John Gorst, Q.C., M.P. (V.P. of the 
Committee of Council of Education), representing the 
British Government, was unanimously elected Chairman, 
and he afterwards welcomed the delegates. 
Nearly all the resolutions are given (see page 51) because 
they should be known by our members, in order that we 
may be in a position to consider the matter, with the view, 
if possible, of co-operating in so very important an under- 
taking. Every person in Australasia and elsewhere who 
is the author of a published paper upon any branch of pure 
science should take an interest in this matter, because he 
will in future probably be required to prepare an index of 
