192 
that the resolution should run: ‘‘mathemat- 
ics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, geol- 
ogy and the biological sciences, including 
zoology, botany, morphology, physiology, 
anthropology, ethnology,” ete. Dr. Billings 
did not think the term ‘applied science’ 
clear. In a sense astronomy is applied 
mathematics. He thought that some 
phraseology should be employed which in- 
dicates the application of sciences to pro- 
fessional and commercial purposes. He 
also called attention to statistics, which 
might be considered from a scientific point 
of view, and thought it well that the 
broader term biology should be introduced, 
instead of physiology or anthropology. 
Professor Mobius, after some further discus- 
sion of this resolution, pointed out that the 
term biology did not have the broad signifi- 
cance in Germany which Dr. Billings as- 
eribed to it. The discussion of this resolu- 
tion was adjourned for the day. 
When the Conference met on the follow- 
ing day, July 15th, the mover of the resolu- 
tion concerning the scope of the cata- 
logue withdrew it by permission for the 
purpose ofamendment. The discussion of 
this subject, which is really of much signifi-_ 
cance to scientific men, continued, and it 
was apparent that no conclusion could be 
reached. There seemed to be a tendency 
to use the words natural and physical 
sciences, thus leaving the whole matter in- 
definite, This Dr. Billings very strongly 
opposed on the ground that the statement 
as to the general scope of the catalogue 
should be in such form as to be perfectly 
clear to all scientific men. But it was 
evident that the question could not yet be 
settled, and it was finally decided to refer 
the terms of the resolution to a committee 
consisting of Professor Armstrong, Dr. Bil- 
lings, Professors Mobius, Korteweg and 
Schwalbe. 
The next matter that was of interest was 
a resolution which read: ‘‘ That in judging 
SCIENCE. 
[N.S. Vou. VI. No. 136. 
whether a publication is to be considered 
as a contribution to science, suitable for 
entry in the catalogue, regard shall be had 
to its contents, irrespective of the channel 
through which it is published.” It is in- 
teresting to note that there was no dissent 
from this proposition, and that the impor- 
tance of it was emphasized by the German 
delegates, several of whom pointed out the 
fact that trade journals, as, for instance, 
that devoted to the beet sugar industry, or 
even the Allgemeine Zeitung, often contain 
scientific articles of great value. 
The next resolution, which was one of 
great importance, read: ‘‘ That the double 
system of authors’ names and subject-matter 
being always maintained, the Central 
Bureau shall issue the catalogue in the form’ 
of ‘slips or cards,’ the details of the cards 
to be hereafter determined and the issue to 
take place as promptly as possible. Cards 
corresponding to any one or more of the 
branches of science, or to sections of such 
branches, shall be supplied separately upon 
such demand.” Dr. Ludwig Mond thought 
that the issuing of cards should be at the 
discretion of the International Council. 
Dr. Billings preferred that they should be 
at the discretion of the Central Bureau. 
He pointed out that it was a purely com- 
mercial detail, and that its advisability de- 
pended upon the number of subscriptions 
received in advance. He hardly thought 
that a double system was necessary in case 
of the cards. There was a lengthy discus- 
sion Over various forms of amendment, that 
of Dr. Billings being finally carried by the 
rather close vote of 18 to 14. 
The next resolution related to the issue 
of a catalogue in book form and this, 
too, being modified, was passed, as fol- 
lows: ‘‘That the Central Bureau shall 
also issue the catalogue in book form from 
time to time, the titles being classified ac- 
cording to the rules to be hereafter deter- 
mined ; that the issue in the book form 
