9420140 Richardson Initiated in 1954, the annual Systematics Symposium sponsored by the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, and held in October of each year, has highlighted significant research, training, and policy issues in biological systematics throughout its impressive duration. Topics of interest both to botanists and zoologists have been emphasized, and efforts made as well to involve scientists in under-represented groups. The 1995 symposium addresses the role of systematists in the National Biological Service, and features speakers from academe, government, and private organizations. Future symposia cover biogeographic, paleontological, molecular phylogenetic, and technological aspects of modern research in biological systematics. The symposium proceedings are typically published in the Annals of the MBG, and in timely manner, and thus the impact of the presentations and discussions extends throughout the profession and beyond. Complementing the symposium presentations and discussions, participants, usually numbering 400 or so, make use of the rich herbarium and library resources of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the mix of graduate students, young investigators, and senior researchers ensures a productive exchange of viewpoints. ??
