79 The Smithsonian Institution 



sagacity. Being an author-catalogue arranged alphabeti- 

 cally, its use has been hampered by the lack of a subject- 

 index, but scholars have been recently delighted to learn that 

 the Royal Society contemplates supplying this very impor- 

 tant deficiency. 



The Royal Society has recently . opened correspondence 

 with the Smithsonian Institution concerning a continuation 

 of the Catalogue on an enlarged plan for the period begin- 

 ning with the year 1900. 



In a letter dated March 31, 1894, Professor Michael Foster, 

 Secretary of the Royal Society, says : 



"The Smithsonian Institution is, on historical grounds, 

 so closely connected with the efforts of the Royal Society in 

 cataloguing scientific papers, that I am directed to add to the 

 circular letter herewith sent, a few words expressing the hope 

 of the Committee of the Royal Society, which has the matter 

 in hand, that they may have in a special way the assistance 

 of your valuable body in coming to a decision on so important 

 a question." 



The circular alluded to states that the Royal Society con- 

 templates the preparation of a continuation of the catalogue, 

 and inquires as to the feasibility of its being compiled through 

 international cooperation, and invites suggestions as to the 

 best methods for carrying out the plans. 



Secretary Langley replied promptly, and his letter is thus 

 referred to in the report of the International Catalogue 

 Committee dated July 25, 1895 : 



" It is a great gratification to the Committee that the 

 matter has been taken up in a most cordial manner by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, the Secretary of which, in his reply, 

 refers to the desirability of a catalogue of the kind suggested 

 as being so obvious that the work commends itself at once." 



