1919.] Thomson.—Libraries of Science and Technology. 363 
of Zoology, the catalogue is divided into sections (corresponding to Phyla) 
numbered with roman numerals, but the same decimal system is applied 
to all the sections. Geographical distribution is provided for by small 
italic letters following the decimal number, i being Australasia and ik New 
Zealand. Each volume, or in the case of Zoology each section, commences 
with a list of the papers for the period covered, arranged alphabetically 
according to authors’ names, and bearing a consecutive number which is 
not part of the decimal system, but is given only for subsequent reference. 
This is followed by a subject index according to the schedule adopted for 
the science, the decimal numbers and their connotations serving as heads 
for sections under which all papers relating to that subject or aspect of 
the subject are indicated by the author’s name, followed by the consecutive 
number of the paper. A single paper may thus appear an indefinite number 
of times in the subject catalogue according to the aspects of the subject 
with which it deals. 
Another bibliographic system is that of the Concilium Bibliographicum, 
the seat of which is at Zurich. This institution deals only with the subjects 
of Palaeontology, General Biology, Microscopy, Collecting, Botany, Zoology, 
Anatomy, and Physiology, and issues for these subjects a Conspectus meihod- 
ieus et alphabeticus numerorum classifications bibliographid, apparently with 
the approval of the Institut International. A copy of the English edition 
of this work, dealing with the subjects of Palaeontology, General Biology,, 
and Zoology, is in the library of the New Zealand Institute, and bears the 
date 1902. The introduction states :— 
“ In order to assign to each memoir a definite place in the bibliography 
we have taken the well-known Dewey system as the basis for an elabo¬ 
rate classification in which each topic receives an arbitrary number. The 
individual cards in the bibliography, when arranged strictly according 
to these numbers, fall naturally into the prescribed sequence, and it is 
extremely easy to find the bibliographical cards dealing with any desired 
topic. Moreover, for the majority of the divisions of the classification, 
coloured guide-cards have been issued with projections bearing the number 
and name of the division and its subdivisions, if any. The guide-cards 
render the use of the card bibliography extremely simple. The use of 
numbered divisions makes it possible to employ a person without scientific 
education for intercalating the new cards as they arrive. In view of the 
magnitude of a card bibliography, this possibly is decisive for the success¬ 
or failure of the system.” 
The Concilium Bibliographicum issues printed cards covering the whole 
domain of the sciences above mentioned, and those referring to the fauna 
of New Zealand are purchased and filed by the Dominion Museum. 
In order to compare these various systems an example may be given : 
Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute , vol. 37, 1905,. 
containing, inter alia , a paper by Henry Suter, “ Revision of the New 
Zealand Species of the Genus Potamopyrgus; with Description of a New 
Species.” This paper is also reprinted as a pamphlet, and as such may be- 
in a library. 
In the Dewey system the book would bear the decimal number 506,. 
as being the transactions of a society devoted to natural science. Some 
librarians might prefer to place it under 050, General Periodicals, since 
besides natural science it may contain useful arts, history, economics, &c. 
The paper- itself, on the other hand-, would bear the decimal number 
594-3931, the first figure 5 because the subject is Natural Science, the 
