18 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
Ttalian Ambassador, representing Italy, that the catalogue 
should be in English. 
Since the meeting of the Conference in July, 1896, “a 
Provisional British Catalogue Committee” has been 
appointed, which might be consulted by the Committee of 
the Royal Society, on questions relating to the collection 
and preparation of the material supplied by the scientific 
literature of Great Britain and Ireland, and which might 
ultimately develop ito the National Bureau for the United 
Kingdom. 
A committee of nearly forty representatives from the 
principal British societies and libraries has been constituted. 
This committee is to inform the Committee of the Royal 
Society, — 
Ist. As to the best method of collecting the material 
for the catalogue in Great Britain and Ireland. 
2nd. Whether each society will undertake the collection 
and preparation of the material of the science 
which it represents. 
3rd. Whether each society will bear, either wholly or 
in part, the expenses of such collection and prepar- 
ation. 
At the first meeting of the British Committee it was 
practically agreed that all the special societies and insti- 
tutions represented would co-operate in the work of the 
International Catalogue. 
In Austria and Germany conferences have been held of 
representatives from the principal scientific societies and 
institutions, and it has been agreed to co-operate in the 
work; the Austrian Ministry of Education has in principle 
expressed its willingness to further the work and to ensure 
its due execution. The future action of the German Govern- 
ment appears to be dependent upon the question of the 
probable cost, and upon certain minor details. It has, how- 
ever, probably decided by now. The steps to be taken by 
the other Governments will also soon be known. 
