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SEAMAK ZOOGAD SYSTEM 
This system for the storage, retrieval and analysis of data 
concerning animals in zoos around the world has been designed and 
implemented by U. S. Seal and D. G. Makey, in collaboration with 
the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. The system has 
been designed to store and retrieve records consisting of hemato1 
ogy, blood chemistry and physical condition. Since the system in 
tends to deal with all of the mammalian species, a code for the 
taxonomic names of all such species was developed, consisting of 
a tweIve digit alphanumeric code for each taxon, including sub¬ 
species. A zoogeographic code of four numeric digits uniquely 
codes all existing zoos in the world and also identifies geograph 
ic regions. 
Two magnetic tapes are used, the first containing the system 
programs, mammalian taxonomic codes and zoogeographic codes , the 
second containing the physiological data records. The system in¬ 
cludes two programs, one to record new records on tape, and one 
to recall records on. the basis of six parameters, which are: 
A. Taxonomic code. 
B. Animal identification number. 
C. Animal location. 
D. Data source. 
E. Animal origin. 
F. A disease classification. 
A preliminary summary of the system to date has been issued, 
which gives instructions on the format for data input, shows what 
output format is, lists the entire zoogeographic code (71 pages), 
which includes all or most of the world's zoos, also lists the en 
tire mammalian species code (206 pages), and gives a preliminary 
numerical code to the orders of the remaining vertebrate classes. 
Anyone interested in further information on the system should 
write to Dr. U. S. Seal, V. A. Hospital, 54th St. and 48th Avenue 
South, Minneapolis MN 55417.--JAP. 
STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION 
The texts of a series of lectures arranged by the Linnean 
Society of London and the Committee on Biological Information and 
presented in London from 5 October to 14 December 1970 on the sub 
j ect above have been published in the Biological Journal of the 
Linnean Society, vol. 3, no. 3, Sept. 19 71. taking up the entire 
issue. The following papers are included 
Edwards, P.I. The general pattern of biological information. 
Edwards, P.I. List of libraries in the field of puxe and applied 
biology. 
Onions, A.H.S. Culture collections of microfungi. 
Lapage, S.P. Culture collections of bacteria. 
Whitehead, P.J.P. Storage and retrieval of information in system- 
