Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 10.djvu/595

* INDETERMINATE MUXTIPLIEES. 521 INDEX. (6) (4 +3V + 1) I — (5X — 2V + 1) y + (2X + 7X'-i- 2) 2 = 28X' + 5 Selecting for X, X' values such that (7) 5X — 2X' + 1 = (8)2^ + 7/.' -I- 2 = 0, theu /. = — I J, /.' = — 5*5, and from equation (6), X = 1. Choosing next X, '/! such that (9j4X +3>.' +1 = (lOj 2>. +7/.' + 2 = 0, then /. = — A,>.' = — f, and, from equation (6), y = 2. It may similartj- Ije found that z =: 3. INDETERMINATE PROBLEMS. See Dio- PIIAMIXE A^;ALY.SIS. INDETERMINISM. See Ixdifferextism. INDEX (Lat., indicator). An alphabetical list of names, topics, words, and the like, with indications of the passages in which they occur. The index usually comes at the end of the book; the analytical table of contents is normally placed at the beginning, except in the case of French, Italian and Spanish books. As books began to multiply the need of indexes was felt and their value was recognized. Many old books of the sixteenth and seventeenth cen- turies have well-made indexes of such fullness and value as put to shame the farcical substitutes issued by man}- modern publishers when they give any at all. Numerous authorities might be cited as to the worth of a good index in enhancing the value and usefulness of a good book. Long and loud have been and are the complaints against tlie publication of books of knowledge without in- dexes, emphasizing Carlyle's growl against "books born of Chaos, which want all things, even an index." Lord Campbell of England, and Horace Binney of Philadelphia, each advocated withhold- ing copyright from any author who published a book without an index. "1 have come," says the latter, "to regard a good book as curtailed of half iLs value if it has not a pretty full index. It is almost impossible, without such a guide, to re- produce on demand the most striking thoughts or facts the book may contain, whether for citation or fui-ther consideration." The value put by man}' scholars on the old Delphin edition of the classics is based on its copious indexes, by means of which a classical quotation can be made or located with the least trouble. Years of time have been lost to students and scholars in fruit- less search for much wanted bits of information buried from sight in unindexed pages of books of value and authority. 'hat the seeker demands is a complete index, and it is essential that this should not only refer to the letter, but should also embody the spirit of the work indexed. To (his end the indexer must possess intelligence, quickness of perception, the power of analysis and condensation, and the ability to put himself en rapport with the author and his work, of the subject of which he must himself have a very con- siderable knowledge. Any index is valuable in proportion as it is concise in expression and ac- curately exhaustive, not only of the broader state- ments of fact or of opinion, but also of the small points of detail, the incidental and illustrative references contained in the book or volumes to which it aims to be the guide or key. ilinuteness of indexing must varv- according to chii.racter and uses of books indexed. Before beginning to make entries, an indexer should read the book. He may then indicate by imderlining text or writing chosen headings in the margins against the topics to be indexed. A book may require a general index of quite obvious sub- jects treated in it, as Brj-ce's American Com- monicealth ; a name or word index, as for atlases, botanies, quotations, etc. ; an inde.x of ideas more or less difficult to reduce to alphabetic key- words, as Emerson"s Essays, Holmes's Autocrat. The indexer cannot be too careful in choosing headings or catch-words, which must not only represent the subject treated, but also be such as would occur to the seeker who has not the text before him. Entries on the same subject should not be scattered among various synony- mous headings. Each subject must be indexed every time it occurs, and related matter should be indicated by cross-references. If entries under headings are few it is better to repeat them un- der each' heading needed to make reference easy and complete ; if many, a single heading may be chosen for entries and cross-references made from other possible headings. Entries should be con- cise, definite, and specific. Scattered page ref- erences should not be massed under a heading without clew to the character of the information given. Where matter relating to a single subject is given consecutiveh- and is brief, a single ref- erence may suffice, but if extended it should be analyzed under headings. In a book on municipal affairs, the seeker must not be forced to examine several pages on the Mayor of Xew York to ascer- tain his salary. Specific rather than general headings should be chosen ; e.g. entry should be under potatoes, not tubers, sparrows rather than birds, cross-reference being made only when necessary. In general, indexing under the main subject of the book should be avoided. This would bring too great a mass together, and render the heading practically useless. The excellent index of Fiske's American Revolution has but seven entries under 'Revolution.' A work in sev- eral volumes should have a general index to all in the last one. Separate indexes to each volume (except for serials) are seldom afforded. Each entry should be written on a separate slip and the slips alphabeted in trays. Library supply houses make slips 5 X 7.5 cm. or 7.5 X 12.5 cm., and trays to fit. The smaller size is usually better. Careful, final editing of entries is necessary to assure consistency, proper cross-reference, clear punctuation, and absolute accuracy. Words alike in spelling but different in meaning should be repeated as headings. En- tries like the following are confusing: Lead, oopppr metalhirgy kindl.v tight poisoning Entries should be arranged in alphabetic order. Two or more distinct words should not be treated as integral parts of one word. Thus the arrange- ment should be : New Bedford New reaeons for Xew York Newark NewB from abroad Newton When verified and edited, slips may be sent to the printer either pasted in order on large sheets, or numbered, punched, and tied together, or en- tries may be copied on sheets. Great care is essential in verifying both the original entries and the printer's work, an index error being seri- ous. . paper on "Indexing." by J. B. Nichols in Lihrarii Journal. October. 1802. gives the best directions and suggestions in print for would-be f Newark New Bedford ^^i 1 New reasons for ^^ ] News from abroad Newton I New York