Classed catalogues
A dictionary catalogue contains class-headings, inasmuch as it contains the headings of extensive subjects, but under them there is no class entry, only specific entry. The syndetic dictionary catalogue, however, recognizes their nature by its cross-references, which constitute it in a certain degree an alphabetico-classed (not a systematic) catalogue. Moreover, the dictionary catalogue, without ceasing to be one, might, if it were thought worth while (which it certainly is not), not merely give titles under specific headings but repeat them under certain classes or under all classes in ascending series, e. g., not merely have such headings as Rose, Geranium, Fungi, Liliaceæ, Phænogamia, Cryptogamia, but also under Botany include all the titles which appeared under Rose, Geranium, etc.; provided the headings Botany, Cryptogamia, Fungi, etc., were arranged alphabetically. The matter may be tabulated thus:
- Alphabetical arrangement.
- Dictionary catalogue.
- Specific entry. (Common dict. catal.)
- Specific entry and class reference. (Bost. Pub. Lib., Boston Athenæum.)
- Specific and class entry. (No example.)
- Alphabetico-classed catalogue.
- Class entry with specific or class subentry. (Noyes.)
- Class entry with chiefly class subentry. (Abbot.) {12}
- Dictionary catalogue.
- Logical arrangement.
- Systematic catalogue.
- Class entry. (Undivided classed catal.)
- Class entry and subentry and finally specific subentry. (Subdivided classed catal.)
- Systematic catalogue.
- A, Specific dictionary.
- B, Specific dict. by its cross-references and its form-entries. Alphabetico-classed catalogue.
- C, Classed catalogue without subdivisions.
- D, Classed catalogue with subdivisions.
- A, B are alphabetical.
- C, D are classed.
- A, B, D contain specific subjects.
- B, C, D contain classes.
The specific entries of A and the classes of B, though brought together in the same catalogues (the class-dictionary and the alphabetico-classed), simply stand side by side and do not unite, each preserving its own nature, because the principle which brings them together—the alphabet—is external, mechanical. But in D the specific entries and the classes become intimately united to form a homogeneous whole, because the principle which brings them together—the relations of the subjects to one another—is internal, chemical, so to speak.