June 28, 1900] 



NATURE 



197 



The length of the spindle in Fig. 4 (just on the point of 

 undergoing segmentation) is about four times its diameter ; a 

 ratio which is considerably greater than in the three preceding 

 figures, and which approaches that known to hold in the case of 

 an unstable liquid cylinder. 



The rate of outflow from the tube is in each case stated 

 under the photograph. 



The knitting-pin was then replaced by a glass tube, closed at 

 its upper end, but connected below with a manometer, which 

 was put into connection with the interior of the various bubbles 

 by mean of a small hole previously blown in the side of the tube 

 near its upper extremity. The pressure inside the bubbles was 

 always found to be very nearly atmospheric, an excess of about 

 I mm. of water being the greatest noted. 



Another form of apparatus gave striking results. 



A H tube was supported with the cross piece vertical, and the 

 upper opening was closed with a cork into which a stiff" wire was 

 driven, so that it hung centrally, with its other end projecting 

 a little from the lower opening of the lube. 



The circular disc was attached to this projecting wire, and was 

 then exactly in the path of the issuing stream of water which was 

 admitted by the side tube. 



By properly regulating the velocity of the water a series of 

 surfaces similar to those produced by the former method can be 

 obtained, but the adjustments are not so easily controlled 

 (Fig. 6). 



It is curious to note how the water constituting the walls of 

 the bubble reunites into a single stream which falls from its base. 



T. J. Baker. 



King Edward's School, Birmingham, May 28. 



THE INTERNATIONAL CATALOGUE OF 

 SCIENTIFIC LITER A TURE. 

 TN view of the proceedings at the recent third Inter- 

 ■•■ national Conference, of which the Acta are printed 

 on another page, there can be little doubt that the ultimate 

 execution of this important enterprise is now assured. 

 Prior to the meeting, some of us, perhaps, vaguely feared 

 that the foreign delegates would come prepared to suggest 

 all sorts of difficulties, if not to announce the unwillingness 

 of the countries they represented to take any part in the 

 work ; btit nothing of the kind occurred : all came bent 

 on securing success ; not a word was uttered in de- 

 preciation of any of the proposals brought under con- 

 sideration ; and all present may be said to have taken an 

 enthusiastic interest in carrying the proceedings to a 

 satisfactory issue. Every one was of opinion that if a fair 

 beginning can once be made, the importance of the work 

 is so great ; it will be of such use to scientific workers 

 at large ; that it will rapidly grow in favour and soon 

 secure that wide support which is not yet given to it 

 simpiy because its character and value are but im- 

 perfectly understood. Therefore, all were anxious that a 

 beginning should be made. 



It has been estimated that if 300 sets or the equivalent 

 are sold, the expenses of publication will be fully met. 

 As the purchase of more than half this number was 

 guaranteed by France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzer- 

 land and the United Kingdom, the Conference came to 

 the conclusion that the number likely to be taken by other 

 countries would be such that the subscriptions necessary 

 to cover the cost of the catalogue would be obtained. 



The resolution arrived at after this opinion had been 

 formed, " That the catalogue include both an author's and 

 a subject index, according to the schemes of the Pro- 

 visional International Committee," must, in fact, be read 

 as a resolution to establish the catalogue. 



Of the countries represented at the various Conferences, 

 excepting Belgium, not one has expressed any unwilling- 

 ness eventually to cooperate in the work. Unfortunately, 

 neither the United States nor Russia was officially repre- 

 sented on the present occasion. The attempts that have 

 been made to induce the Government in the United 

 NO. 1600, VOL. 62] 



States to directly subsidise the catalogue have not been 

 successful : but that the United States will contribute 

 its fair share, both of material and of pecuniary support, 

 cannot be doubted. There as here private or corporate 

 enterprise must undertake much that is done under 

 Government auspices in Europe. As to Russia, the 

 organisation of scientific workers there has been so little 

 developed that it is very difficult to secure their attention, 

 and probably our Russian colleagues are as yet but very 

 imperfectly aware of what is proposed. The importance 

 of Russian scientific work is so great, however, that it 

 stands to reason that it must be fully considered ; and it 

 may be supposed that Russia will join when she becomes 

 acquainted with what is proposed and what is required 

 of her. 



A Provisional International Committee has been ap- 

 pointed, which will take the steps now necessary to secure 

 the adhesion and cooperation of countries not yet pledged 

 to support the scheme. 



Originally, it was proposed to issue a card- as well as 

 a book-catalogue, but on account of the great additional 

 expense this would involve, and as the Americans in 

 particular have not expressed themselves in favour of a 

 card issue, it is resolved to publish the catalogue, for 

 the present, only in the form of annual volumes. 



From the outset great stress has been laid on the 

 preparation of subject indexes which go behind the 

 titles of papers and give fairly full information as to the 

 nature of their contents. Both at the first and the second 

 International Conference this view met with the fullest 

 approval. Meanwhile, the action of the German Govern- 

 ment has made it necessary to somewhat modify the 

 original plan. In Germany, a regional bureau will be 

 established, supported by a Government subvention, and 

 it is intended that the whole of the German scientific 

 literature shall be catalogued in this office ; no assist- 

 ance will be asked from authors or editors or corporate 

 bodies. In such an office it will for the present be 

 impossible to go behind titles ; consequently, only the 

 titles of German papers will be quoted in the catalogue. 

 In the first instance, some other countries may prefer to 

 adopt this course on the ground of economy. But in 

 this country, at least, the attempt will be made to deal 

 fully with the literature, and the cooperation of authors 

 and editors will be specially invited. An author may not 

 always be best able to judge which are the most im- 

 portant points in his paper to be noted in an index, but 

 the experience gained in the Royal Society during several 

 years past has shown that authors furnish most valuable 

 information, and that their suggestions are easily reduced 

 into shape. A full code of instructions for the use of the 

 regional bureaux is now being prepared under the auspices 

 of the Provisional International Committee. 



The catalogue is to be published annually in seventeen 

 distinct volumes. The collection of material is to com- 

 mence froin January i, 1901. As it will be impossible to 

 print and issue so many volumes at once, it is proposed 

 to publish them in sets of four or five at quarterly in- 

 tervals. During the first year, parts covering shorter 

 periods will be prepared, so as to make the subsequent 

 regular issue possible of volumes in which the literature 

 published during a previous period of twelve months is 

 catalogued. Valuable opportunity will thus be given 

 from the outset of gaining experience both in the 

 preparation and use of the catalogue. 



That many difficulties will be encountered in carrying 

 the work out cannot be doubted ; but if scientific workers 

 generally will but reflect on the inestimable value of 

 accurate classified subject indexes, they cannot but see 

 that it will be to their great advantage to do all in their 

 power to further the enterprise. If the attempt fail, it 

 will only be because those on whose behalf it is under- 

 taken are blind to their own interests. H. E. A. 



