REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 81 



tions has been reduced to approximately 28,000 for the year, which is about 

 6,000 less than was sent in for the previous year. This decrease is not entirely 

 due to the new methods of classifying, for as the work is each year being 

 brought more nearly up to date fewer old papers are indexed, consequently 

 fewer citations are required. It is estimated that when the work is entirely 

 up to date only about 25,000 citations will be needed to completely index the 

 yearly scientific literature of the United States. 



The following-named volumes of the catalogue were received and delivered 

 to the subscribers in this country : 



Seventh annual issue: Meteorology, General Biology, Botany, Anatomy, 

 Anthropology, and Bacteriology. 



Eighth annual issue: Mathematics, Mechanics, Astronomy, Mineralogy, and 

 Zoology. 



For a number of years it has been the aim to eventually prepare this cata- 

 logue not only through the cooperation of the various countries, but through 

 direct cooperation of authors and publishers of the papers indexed. This method 

 was actually tried during the present year in the preparation of the volume 

 on zoology, and though it required writing about 517 letters, the result was so 

 satisfactory that it is proposed to gradually extend the method to other sciences. 



As has been pointed out before, the London Central Bureau is maintained 

 solely by means of the funds obtained from subscriptions to the catalogue, and 

 the necessary cost of editing and printing is so great that $85 per year has to be 

 charged for the complete set of 17 volumes. This large figure places the work 

 beyond the reach of many who would undoubtedly purchase individual volumes, 

 if not the complete sets. The cost of doubling the edition of the catalogue would 

 be comparatively small, the outlay representing only the cost of press work and 

 paper, and it is felt that if the edition could be doubled and the price reduced 

 one-half, the work could be placed at once within the reach of many small 

 libraries and scientific workers who need such works of reference. 



At present the available funds prevent any such course being adopted, but a 

 comparatively small endowment would not only render this move possible, but 

 would enable the present restricted scope of the catalogue to be extended to 

 include at first the applied sciences and then gradually the other records of 

 human progress. A yearly income of $5,000 or $6,000 from a permanent endow- 

 ment would enable the central bureau to take the necessary steps to first in- 

 crease the circulation and then broaden the scope of the catalogue, and it is 

 earnestly hoped that in the near future such an endowment may be obtained. 



There have been no losses of property during the year, excepting those caused 

 by ordinary wear and deterioration. 



In the sundry civil bill approved June 25, 1910, $7,500 was appropriated to 

 carry on the work for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911. This sum is an 

 increase of $1,500 over the appropriation of the present year. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Leonard C. Gunnell, 



Chief Assistant. 



Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

 97578°— km 1910 6 



