220 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [voL. 48 
As an illustration; how would an exact and inflexible system of 
classification of zoology or biology founded before the time of 
Darwin have treated the literature of his time and after. How 
would the exact chemical classification of Lavoisier’s day deal with 
Mendeléeff’s theory. As the present investigations in radiant en- 
ergy seem to be setting the teachings of yesterday topsy turvy, so 
must we constantly expect, as new discoveries are made, radical 
changes in accepted theories in all branches of science, and as the 
literature of these subjects must be properly and thoroughly indexed 
as it appears, it is beyond question that any system of classification 
to be of any permanent value must be elastic, easily elastic, in root 
and branch. 
The schedules of classification adopted at the beginning of the 
work and used up to the present time were the result of a systematic 
investigation made through the representative scientific institutions 
and societies throughout the world, and the needs of each science 
were thoroughly considered and made to harmonize, as far as then 
seemed possible, with the usage of all countries. But it is here that 
the main difficulty of the work is found both from the scientific and 
geographical point of view. This, however, was foreseen and pro- 
vided for when the work was undertaken, as it was decided to hold 
an international convention in London during the present vear to 
reconsider and revise, if necessary, the regulations under which the 
work is being carried on. The convention will be held in July and 
representatives from all countries will be invited there to discuss 
the result of their experience, with the object of correcting any 
faults which may exist. Zoological taxonomy seems to be more 
criticized from the point of view of the generally accepted methods 
used in the United States than any other branch of the work. 
However in all of the seventeen branches suggestions from the 
point of view of the expert user of the catalogue will be of the 
utmost value in eliminating defect. 
I think no more fitting place and opportunity could be found 
than the present to earnestly solicit the aid of those interested in the 
welfare of science. Sets of the International Catalogue are in the 
library of this society and in most of the larger libraries throughout 
the country and are therefore easy of access. Concise and definite 
criticisms and suggestions from specialists in any of the sciences 
coming within the scope of the work will, if sent to the 
Smithsonian Institution, be brought to the attention of the inter- 
national convention and as a result the needs of American scientific 
workers will be furthered and at the same time the undertaking as 
