348 Onan Index of Papers devoted to Physical Science. 
Dr. Young’s Index, contained in the volumes of his works, would 
afford valuable aid towards conceiving the plan, though it is very 
far from perfect, and of too old a date to permit the continuance 
of its classification without much change. 'The proposed Index 
seems to be one of those undertakings which the current of 
events will render too indispensable not to be ere long begun. 
If so extended as to embrace Engineering, Machines, and the 
Technology of Art: and Manufactures, (Chemistry in all its ap- 
plications would of course be included,) it will become sufli- 
ciently valuable to many merely practical interests to enlist their 
active support. Our Patent Office might well afford to defray all 
the cost of such a work in those departments over which exam- 
inations for patents are required to be made 
If for a moment we conceive the result attained and the entire 
compass of reference to Mathematical and Physical papers brought 
into a systematic body, under specific subject-headings, we $ 
better realize its value. The course of investigation on any par- 
ticular subject would be made simple and direct. By yearly 
‘supplements we might be kept informed of new papers beyond 
our ordinary range. The investigator would proceed to exhaust 
pers of value on any snbject in hand, and would know 
when he was done; that he would start thoroughly furnished for 
making additions to existing knowledge instead of wasting his 
y 
noptic presentation of all its important elements and results which 
would enable us to give each speciality its true value and rela- 
tions on the general chart of scientific coérdination. Our gene- 
ral views would keep pace with our special investigations, and 
our minds would attain that harmony of culture, characteristic 
of the well developed man. Alike versed in those grand generali- 
of pious duty to retrace 
nese too neglected record tablets. 
