492 REPORT—1896. 
(3) That authors’ separate copies should not be distributed privately 
before the paper has been published in the regular manner. 
The Committee, however, observes that these customs are by no means 
universal, and constant complaints are made that one or other of them is 
not put into force. In case the Publication or Society with which you 
are connected does not comply with these desiderata, the Committee ven- 
tures to ask whether it would not be possible for it so to comply in future. 
Should you, however, have any good reasons against the adoption of these 
suggestions, the Committee would be much obliged if you would kindly 
inform it of your reasons, in order that it may be guided in its future 
action. 
The Committee further begs to ask for your co-operation in the follow- 
ing matter. There are certain rules of conduct upon which the best 
workers are agreed, but which it is impossible to enforce, and to which it 
is dificult to convert the mass of writers. These are :— 
(4) That it is desirable to express the subject of one’s paper in its title, 
while keeping the title as concise as possible. 
(5) That new species should be properly diagnosed and figured when 
possible. 
(6) That new names should not be proposed in irrelevant footnotes or 
anonymous paragraphs. 
(7) That references to previous publications should be made fully and 
correctly, if possible, in accordance with one of the recognised sets of 
rules for quotation, such as that recently adopted by the French Zoological 
Society. 
The Committee ventures to point out that these and similar matters 
are wholly within the control of editors (rédaction) and publishing com- 
mittees, and any assistance which you can lend in putting them into effect 
will be valued, not merely by the Committee, but, we feel sure, by zoolo- 
gists in general. 
The answers received to this circular will, it is hoped, enable your 
Committee to make further suggestions upon certain practical points. 
Your Committee desires that the following unanimous resolution should 
be conveyed to the Committee of Recommendations : ‘Considering how 
important to zoologists is the speedy completion of the Index Generum et 
Speceerum Animaliwm, now being compiled by Mr. Charles Davies Sher- 
born under another Committee of this Association, the present Committee 
begs to urge upon the Association the advisability of extending to this 
Index substantial pecuniary support.’ 
Finally, your Committee ventures to recommend its re-appointment, 
with a grant of 5/. towards the expenses of printing and posting circulars. 
The Zoology of the Sandwich Islands.—Sixth Report of the 
Committee, consisting of Professor A. Newton (Chairman), 
Dr. W. T. BLanrorD, Professor 8. J. Hickson, Professor C. V. 
Ritey, Mr. O. Sarvin, Dr. P. L. ScLaTer, Mr. E. A. Smita, 
and Mr. D. Suarp (Secretary). 
THE Committee was appointed in 1890, and has been annually re- 
appointed. Since it reported to the Association last year, Mr. R. C. L. 
Perkins has been continuing his work of exploration, and has revisited 
