The extraordinary quantity of material included in the Gmelin Handbook of Inorganic Chemistry can make it extremely difficult to find a specific compound using only a general understanding of the basic rules for the arrangement of the subject matter (the so-called "System of the Last Position"). Consequently, subject indexes have been provided for the past few years to individual Handbook volumes, covering only a single section, or in some cases, a complete system number. During this period a comprehensive subject index-the Gmelin Index-was being prepared, whose first volume is now available. The broad distribution and extensive utilization enjoyed by the Gmelin Handbook in Eng­ lish-speaking countries has led to a decision to publish the Gmelin Index in the English language. This decision was partly based on the fact that since the English language today oc­ cupies a preeminent position in the field of chemistry, a German-speaking user could utilize an English text much more readily than would be the case for an English-speaking user and a German text.