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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVI 



make the subject-entries, and these should only be prepared for subjects 

 which are so treated as to contain an addition or alteration to existing 

 knowledge ; subjects referred to merely as illustrations of the matters 

 dealt with in the paper should not be indexed. 



In the case of papers dealing with Palaeontology, Zoology, or Botany, 

 the primary slip should contain a classified list of all new species 

 described. If no new species are described the subject-entries should 

 indicate the natural orders, families, or genera dealt with and the 

 subject dealt with in relation to them. 



Books or papers whose scope is completely or sufficiently indicated 

 by the title will require no further subject-entries. Text-books and 

 educational works whose scope is sufficiently indicated by their title 

 require no subject-entries, except where th'ey may contain additions 

 to the existing knowledge of science, when subject-entries should be 

 prepared for these parts only. 



The Committee of the Regional Bureau have drawn up a list of 

 periodicals, which are known by them to publish scientific papers, and 

 which are received in the Library of the Asiatic Society of Bengal ; 

 but they have to trust to the quarterly reports from Local Govern- 

 ments for intimation of the publication of independent books and 

 pamphlets. As these quarterly reports may appear some considerable 

 time after the publication of a book, it is desirable for authors, to 

 ensure immediate record being made of their work, to send a copy to 

 the Asiatic Society, accompanied by a primary slip containing title 

 and subject-entries. Societies and editors are similarly recommended 

 to adopt the very useful practice now being followed by many 

 scientific societies in Europe of issuing primary slips with each " part " 

 of a journal. Such slips can best be prepared by the authors them- 

 selves, and sent to the editor of the journal in which his paper appears 

 for transmission with the journal to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



IV. — Central Organization. 



For the continuation and proper development of the work the 

 Royal Society recommended, and the Conference held last October 

 approved of, the organization of International Conventions to be held 

 in London in 1905, 1910, and every tenth year afterwards. Such 

 International Conventions will consist of delegates appointed to 

 represent the various Regional Bureaux, for the purpose of revising 

 as may be necessary the regulations for carrying out the work of the 

 catalogue authorized by the International Conference of 1898. 



It is also proposed to form an International Council composed of 

 one member from each of the Regional Bureaux to act as a governing 

 body of the catalogue. The reports of this Council, giving an account 

 of the expenses of the scheme, will be distributed to the several 

 Regional Bureaux, and will be published in recognized local 

 periodicals. 



The International Council will appoint for each science an Inter- 

 national Committee of Referees to decide on questions of classification 

 not provided for by the catalogue regulations, or in cases of doubt to 

 pronounce an opinion as to the meaning of the regulations. 



The actual routine work connected with the classification of primary 

 slips received from the different regions and the printing and issue of 

 the catalogues will be carried on in London by the Central Bureau, 

 which will consist of a Director and staff of expert assistants. 



