One can single out four bibliographies compiled with the speci fic aim of assisting those interested in traditional Chinese science, technology and medicine with navigating their way through the un mapped bibliographic jungle. Each of them bears a different orien tation, and concentrates on a different set of literature.
J.-D. Dehergne’s "Bibliographie de quelques industries chinoise: techniques artisanales et histoire ancienne" (1949) deals with
writings with information on the production of textiles, gunpowder.
^"Quantitative sciences" (with articles on mathematics and mathematical harmonics); "Qualitative sciences" (with articles on dietetics, astrology, and alchemy); "Technology" (with articles on gunpowder and firearms, and salt mining); and "Cultural interaction"
(with articles on astronomical instruments, calendar, anatomy, and chemistry).
paper and printing, and ceramics; there is also a section on general works.1 Each of the five parts of the bibliography is divided
further into smaller subject areas (e.g. paper; printing; porcelain and pottery from different provinces) or according to the language of the titles listed (e.g. Chinese works; translations into Western- languages). Entries are arranged chronologically and they include books, journal articles as well as sections of monographs. Although the Science and Civilisation in China bibliographies for textiles technology, gunpowder, paper and printing, etc. are unquestionably more comprehensive and up-to-date, Dehergne’s bibliography demon strates a sincere attempt to register and make accessible literature on some of the most important aspects in traditional Chinese science and especially technology at a time when systematic research into these areas was barely visible.
A rather limited bibliography compiled by Robert Schrimpf (1963) lists Chinese monographs published between 1950 and 1960 mainly on the history of mathematics, astronomy, and hydraulic engineering.% Full bibliographic detail, Chinese characters, French translation of Chinese titles, occasional annotations, and introductions to the subjects considered are given.
Huard and Wong’s "Les enquêtes française sur la science et la technologie chinoises au XVIIIe siècle" (1966) deals, as the title indicates, primarily with French sources and scholarship. The
objectives of the authors, however, are more ambitious than the mere identification of the literature. The bibliography is in effect a detailed account of 18th century French characterisation and portra yal of various departments and aspects of traditional Chinese sci-
^The perimeters of the bibliography are stated very clearly in the opening paragraphs: ". . .en nous limitant: aux industries spécialement étudiées par nos deux Chinois au cours de leur enquête dans la France du XVIIIème siècle et, dans ces matières, aux seuls ouvrages décrivant soit l ’histoire de l ’industrie (ou l ’une de ses phases anciennes), soit les procédés employés. C ’est dire que nous
laisserons de côte les études économiques de plus en plus nombreuses concernant l ’époque contemporaine et la grande industrie": J.-D. Dehergne, "Bibliographie de quelques industries chinoise: techniques artisanales et histoire ancienne," Bulletin de l ’Université l ’Aurore, 3rd ser., 10 (1949), 198.
^Several general works and studies on metallurgy, paper and printing are also provided.
ence, technology and medicine as found in a vast array of French documents. The first three sections — "Le contexte historique"; "Les vues du gouvernement français"; "Les collecteurs de documents" - - communicate background material. The bulk of the study is taken up by "Les enquêtes scientifique" and "Les enquêtes technologiques", which together list, introduce, paraphrase or offer extended summa ries on a wealth of works and sources, some little known.^ This is succeeded by two extensive bibliographies: "Bibliographie occiden tale" features 18th century as well as later Western publications; "Bibliographie chinoise complémentaire" gives an annotated register of 18th, 19th and 20th centuries Chinese publications. Furthermore, Huard and Wong assembled a valuable inventory of manuscripts and unpublished materials in various institutions and collections in France (e.g. Bibliothèque Nationale; Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle; Société Asiatique).
The fourth bibliography, Nathan Sivin's "An Introductory Biblio graphy of Traditional Chinese Science: Books and Articles in Western Languages" (1973) is in the words of the compiler, "a selected and informatively annotated guide to basic books and articles on Chinese science in Western languages. It has been planned to serve those who want to begin exploring Chinese science and its background for their own purposes, whatever these may be. In order to make the Biblio graphy as useful as possible, considerable space is devoted to books on more general topics that are especially pertinent to the develop ment of science and to bibliographies that will lead the reader to more specialized s t u d i e s . T h e first four sections are concerned, therefore, with general bibliographies such as Cordier’s Bibliotheca Sinica. general biographical works such as Hummel's Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period (1644-1912), indexes of translations such as
^"Les enquêtes scientifique" is sub-divided into: "1. Astrono mie et mathématiques"; "2. Physique et météorologie"; "3. Géogra phie"; "4.Ethnographie"; "5. Zoologie"; "6. Botanique"; "7. La Médecine". "Les enquêtes technologiques" is sub-divided into: "1. Agriculture"; 2. L'horticulture"; "3. Architecture urbaine et paysa giste" ; "4. Art militaire"; 5. Céramique et arts du feu"; "6. Indus trie chimique"; "7. Le laque"; "8. La métallurgie"; "9. La musique"; "10. Fabrication du papier et imprimerie"; "11. Poides et mesures"; "12. Textiles"; "13. Transports".
Frankel’s Catalogue of Translations from the Chinese Dynastic Histo ries for the Period 220-960, background studies on historiography, culture, economic and social history, philosophy, etc. Western publications devoted to Chinese science are covered in the final section in which entries are organised into "General” .(nine titles); "Mathematics" (two titles); "Astronomy" (eleven titles); "Alchemy and early chemistry" (ten titles); "Medicine" (twenty-four titles);
"Biology" (five titles). Nearly all items in this select group of titles receive critical and thoughtful comments. The bibliography is also equipped with a conversion table for seven systems of romanisa tion,^