Valuable Gift of Literature on Conchology The Science Society of China with its headquarters in Shanghai and iological Jaboratory in Nanking has played en active part in the diffusion scientific knowledge and promotion of researches in this country during the past twenty years.
'The Society publishes "Science (monthly) "and "Popular Science' (semi-monthly), two regular journals in Chinese of recognized standing and "popularity, together with a number of other monographs, mem-its, transactions, selentie treatises, and texts, all of high order. Moreover, the "Contributions" from the logical laboratory, now in its eleventh volume, are published in two series, zoological and botanical, all containing original papers contri-bhuted by research fellows of the Laboratory along various branches of logy, @-£. taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, experimental "biology, entomology, economic zoology and' botany. ele. There are more than 800. foreign research institutions and _sclence Mbraries exchanging publications with the Society either through the bureau of International Exchange of Publica-ons in Nanking or directly from the Publishing OMice of the Society in Shanghai, The Editorial Board and Printing Offices are both In Shanghs Furthermore, the Society maintains a fairly' good science Nbrary (with the biological section in Nan King) in Shanghai in' which some 300 Kinds of scientific periodicals English, German, French, Italian, Japanese etc., are subscribed, besides the large number of exchanged magazines both in Chinese and. for~ eign languages. New sclentife books. are to be had from time to time. The library is open to the public from 1 to 5 pin. all the year round except on Monday and national holidays. Owing to its unfailing sctivities and labour ous service to the selentife world and academic elrele, the Society has gained a worldwide Fepulation and memorable good-will from various classes of people. Different kinds of donations such as land, houses, research grants, scholarships, Prizes, specimens, books, ote. have been received from time' to time by the Society in recognition of works has done, Quite recently, Mr. Sohtsu King. the well known' Chinese con: chologist and banker and founder of the Peking Natural History Society, has donated his valuable collection on conchological literature to the Society. He slarted his collection some twenty years ago, while he was studying Chinese mollusca with Prof. A.W. Grabau of Peking University. Under their joint authorship a book entitled "Shell of Peitaiho" was published (now in 2nd. edition) besides his many other scientific papers. The collection consists of many' valuable and rare works and not a few complete sets of Journals. For instance, "Mantal Conchology." "Proceedings of Mal ological Society of London." "Journal of Conehology" (London), "American Journal of Conchology," "Journal de Conchyliologie." "Nachrichtsblatte" and. "Jahrbcher der Deutschen "Conchologiea Iconica," *Conchylien Cabinet" "Coquilles __Vivantes"" "Thesaurus Conchyliorums" Philip's ele. are especially worth mention. Most of the works are illustrated with hand pointed colour plates. It is no exaggeration to say that the collection ie unique in the Far East, and invaluable to students of zoology at large and to conchologists in particular. The total value of the whole collection, it is estimated, is over Sthai $50,000, In addition, the donor has also granted $1,000 as endowment so as to use the yearly interest to keep up the current numbers of the concerned journals Moreover, it is understood that the donation of this valuable collection, the Society by Mr. King is purely by way of appreciation of the fruit ful work that the biological laboratory has done, during the past ten years under its founder and director, Prof. C, Ping, the father of Chinese zoology. To reciprocate compliments and hearty thanks to Mr. King, the council of the Society has passed a Fesolution that a special room shall bbe used to house the collection and shall be named "Sohtsu King Library of Conchelogy" in memory of the donator.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.