1905 - 6 .] Library Aids to Mathematical Research. 
59 
NaehricJdeh of the Gottingen Society of Sciences ought not to 
have been inserted, as the mathematical papers of that society 
form a large proportion of those published in the Society’s mathe- 
matico-physical section. The serials of certain Russian physico- 
mathematical societies, being insufficiently known to me, may 
have been improperly excluded. 
Such matters, however, are of little moment, for the inclusions 
unjustly made will probably be more than balanced by the similar 
exclusions, the effect of an exclusion being to strengthen the 
argument and the effect of an inclusion not necessarily to 
weaken it. 
(5) The returns from the Edinburgh and Glasgow libraries 
when tabulated appear as follows : * — 
* Of those who have assisted me in obtaining details, I desire specially to 
thank Professor Gibson of Glasgow, and Mr Hardy, the worthy librarian of 
this Society. 
The London libraries which are of importance as regards mathematics are 
six in number, namely, those of the British Museum, Royal Society, Mathe- 
matical Society, University College, South Kensington Science, Patent Office. 
Some of these possess more serials than any one of the Scottish libraries ; but 
the same general state of affairs prevails. Overlappings repeatedly occur, 
serials possessed are frequently imperfect, and the full collection of the test- 
list cannot be furnished forth by all the libraries put together. 
The library which possesses representatives of the greatest number of serials 
is that of the Mathematical Society : unfortunately not more than half a 
dozen of the sets are complete, and the books are miserably housed. To 
provide proper accommodation, to complete the sets already represented, and 
to supply the missing sets, would be a splendid ambition to set before the little 
band of members resident in London. The serials contained in the British 
Museum, though somewhat fewer in number, are wonderfully complete and 
excellently cared for. 
Meanwhile it is desirable that a leaflet should be prepared containing a full 
list of serials, and showing which are obtainable in London, and where. For 
those which are more elementary, the library of the Mathematical Association 
might be utilised. 
[Table. 
