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and books which can provide relevant information. On this point the descriptions cannot be expected to be complete. In several cases Vreede’s and Juynboll’s cata logues contain more information on literature of older date, and more extensive Dutch summaries than the present book. Of course the corresponding paragraphs of Vreede’s, JuynboH’s, Brandes’ and Voorhoeve’s catalogues are referred to when ever necessary (see 50.008). The books and treatises which have been mentioned in the preliminary remarks to the Synopsis (00140) contain further information on the texts. The present author’s own opinions on the development of Javanese civilization through the ages are to be found in the Synopsis paragraphs in the first volume of the present book. In the main part of the descriptions the four eras and the five idioms of Javanese literature as enumerated in the introduction to the Synopsis (00150) are nientioned if there is occasion to do so. In this manner the age and the origin, geographically, of the text in question are approximately determined. Of course, in case the text contains a date it is mentioned in the description. As a rule in Javanese codexes years are indicated by means of chronograms: sequences of four words possessing numerical connotations, together forming a year number. In the present book years numbered according to the Javanese and Arabic calendars (see chronology, 00120, Saka, A.J. and A.H.) are always con verted to the European calendar (A.D.). Years in Javanese codexes refer mostly to the making of the manuscript, not to its being written by the original author. In many cases the latter date is unknown. At the end of the main part of the descriptions often references to identical or related texts are inserted. Very often romanized copies made by Soegiarto' are available, registered in the Soegiarto collections (see 50.004, XXXI). Romanized texts have the advantage of being more easily legible than those written in Javanese, Balinese or Arabic script. But then it should be borne in mind that the trans literation increased the possibilities of making mistakes. It is advisable, while using a romanized copy for convenience’ sake, to consult the original codex for checking. HI. Almost all descriptions of codexes end in a note on the origin, i.e. the acquisition by the Library. The forty-seven sub-groups of the major collection (see 50.004) and the groups of the minor collections (50.005-’6) are mentioned in this connection. In the case of the Kirtya collection (LOr 9075-10.391) the original Kirtya numbers are registered. The descriptions of the codexes which are registered in the Addenda, in volume Three, have the same components as mentioned above.