800 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. IX. No. 232.. 



logue be based on a sj'stem of letters and 

 numbers, adapted in the case of each 

 branch of science to its individual needs." 

 Professor Darboux proposed the expression 

 ' of letters or of numbers.' Dr. Adler ex- 

 plained his motion by saying that the use 

 of letters and numbers which would furnish 

 the opportunity of alternating gave a 

 greater elasticity to the system than the 

 use of either one by itself. 



Chevalier Descamps objected to the terms 

 of the resolution as restricting the Catalogue 

 to the use of letters and numbers as sym- 

 bols, whereas it might be found desirable to 

 employ other symbols. Professor Arm- 

 strong thought that this construction need 

 not be placed on the words, the idea being 

 that letters and numbers were the funda- 

 mental sj'mbols. 



Professor Darboux said that the real 

 matter to arrive at was a scheme of classi- 

 fication suited to present needs, and of 

 whose durability one might be assured. 

 After some further discussion Dr. Adler 

 made a further explanation as to the object 

 of his resolution. The first Conference had 

 discussed the subject of classification and 

 symbols, and not being able to arrive at any 

 conclusion had referred the matter to the 

 Royal Society. The Society had appointed 

 a committee, which, after long labor, had 

 presented a report, and thus far the Confer- 

 ence had done nothing but criticise it. He 

 did not think it desirable or possible to 

 discuss further detail. The resolution 

 moved was broad and in general terms 

 with the idea that its interpretation and 

 details be left to the persons in whose 

 charge the execution of the Catalogue 

 would actually be. In order, however, to 

 get further advice on the subject he would 

 later on move a provision for an interna- 

 tional committee and give the scientific men 

 of the various countries an opportunity to 

 pass on the details of classification. 



Professor Klein (Germany) strongly ap- 



proved of the appointment of an intei-na- 

 tional committee and of special committees 

 in the various countries, and supported the 

 resolution with a suggestion as to verbal 

 modification. 



Dr, Heller spoke in recognition of the 

 work of the Royal Society and supported 

 the statement of Professor Klein and others, 

 that the various sciences had different 

 needs. After remarks by Dr. Graf the 

 resolution was slightly amended by insert- 

 ing the words 'or other symbols' in addition 

 to letters and numbers, 



M. Otlet asserted that the lack of uni- 

 formity in the system proposed would re- 

 sult in great inconvenience. Professor 

 Darboux thought the whole matter not of 

 great importance and going too much into 

 detail. Professor Armstrong, however, 

 stated that such a resolution was very 

 much desired by the Royal Society, as it 

 would clear the field. The Committee was 

 of the opinion that the different sciences 

 require diiferent treatment, subject to a 

 general uniformity. 



Dr. Adler stated that his resolution did 

 not at all require that each science should 

 have a different scheme of classification or 

 registration. He maintained, however, that 

 the arrangement should be from the point 

 of view of the scientific man, and not of the 

 classifier. If they could agree on a single 

 uniform scheme so much the better. 



Professor Klein supported this view, 

 holding that it was important to pass on to 

 the next matter relating to the appointment 

 of committees for the studj^ of the sched- 

 ules. 



Chevalier Descamps asserted that the 

 resolution would result in more inconven- 

 iences than advantages. He stated that he 

 and his colleagues of the International 

 Office of Bibliography at Brussels were in a 

 peculiar position. Without wishing to dis- 

 parage the work done in any other country, 

 he would say that thej' had collected two 



