EPC Exhibit 136-19.2.1
April 22, 2013
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Dewey Section
To:
Caroline Kent, Chair
Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee
Cc:
Members of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee
Karl E. Debus-López, Chief, U.S. General Division
From: Rebecca Green, Assistant Editor
Giles Martin, Consulting Assistant Editor
Dewey Decimal Classification
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Via:
Michael Panzer, Editor in Chief
Dewey Decimal Classification
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc
Re:
583–584 Angiosperms: Proposal-related data
EPC Exhibit 136-19.2 presented a proposal to revise 583–584 to make the classes there
compatible with the APG (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) III classification. Given the sizable
number of changes included there, we promised to extract and then distribute to EPC the
following data:

Counts of the number of WorldCat records affected by the proposed relocations,
expansions, and discontinuations (considering both 583–584 and numbers in 633–635
built using 583–584)

Counts of the number of WorldCat records not affected by the proposed relocations,
expansions, and discontinuations (considering both 583–584 and numbers in 633–635
built using 583–584)

The percentage of recent (2012–2013) WorldCat literature classed in 583–584 and
numbers in 633–635 built using 583–584 that employ APG III taxonomic groupings

The percentage of recent (2012–2013) WorldCat literature classed in 583–584 and
numbers in 633–635 built using 583–584 using pre-APG III taxonomic groupings

Analysis of LC subject headings assigned to recent (2012–2013) WorldCat literature
classed in 583–584 and numbers in 633–635 built using 583–584 with regard to the
taxonomic organization they reflect
These statistics will also be used to analyze whether any of the proposed classes (e.g.,
583.975 Ericales) should be subject to further development/expansion.
1
Numbers of records affected / not affected by proposed revisions
Addressing the first two questions required a series of searches to be done, the results of which
are documented in the tables that follow. All searches considered classes in the 630s that are
built using 583 and 584 in addition to classes in 583 and 584 themselves. All searches were
limited to the date range 2000–2013 to restrict the data to works classed since the DDC 21
revision of the life sciences.
Works classed in 583 or 584 (numbers more likely to be used in academic libraries) account for
64.4% of the works retrieved; works classed in 633.883–.884, 634.973, 635.933–.934, or
635.9773–.9774 (numbers more likely to be used in public libraries) account for 36% of the
works retrieved. (Yes, .4% of the works had both 58X and 63X numbers assigned.)
Typically when specific topics are relocated, the number of works affected is small (mean: 9.6;
median: 1.5; mode: 0). When all topics are relocated out of a class / when a class is vacated, the
number of works affected is often, but not always, of a more substantial nature (mean: 41.4;
median: 33.5; mode: 4).
Implementing the proposed revisions in their entirety would affect 16% (1604 of 10,085) of the
works classed in 583 or 584 or 63X numbers based on 583 or 584; conversely, 84% (8,481 of
10,085) of those same works would remain in their current numbers.
Relocations
58X
Class
583.2
583.22
583.23
Topic
Cytinaceae; Rafflesiaceae
Canellaceae, Winteraceae (winter's bark family), wild
cinnamon
Amborellaceae; Austrobaileyaceae; Chloranthaceae + [EO:
Lactoridaceae; Trimeniaceae]
TopicLimited
Count1
7
Total
Count2
37
0
22
2
26
1
This count equals the number of WorldCat records retrieved by a search on the 58x number or 63x numbers built
from the 58x number, or standard subdivisions thereof, for the topics being relocated and for the years 2000–2013.
For example, the count for 583.2 is the number of records retrieved by this search: :dd=(583.2 or 583.20* or
633.8832 or 633.88320* or 634.9732 or 634.97320* or 635.9332 or 635.93320* or 635.97732 or 635.977320*) and
(Cytina* or Rafflesia*) and :yr=2000–2013; the count for 583.26, a number from which all topics are relocated, is
the number of records retrieved by this search: :dd=(583.26 or 583.260* or 633.88326 or 633.883260* or
634.97326 or 634.973260* or 635.93326 or 635.933260* or 635.977326 or 635.9773260*) and :yr=2000–2013.
2
This count equals the number of WorldCat records retrieved by a search on the 58x number or 63x numbers built
from the 58x number, or standard subdivisions thereof, for the years 2000–2013. For example, the count for 583.2
is the number of records retrieved by this search: :dd=(583.2 or 583.20* or 633.8832 or 633.88320* or 634.9732 or
634.97320* or 635.9332 or 635.93320* or 635.97732 or 635.977320*) and :yr=2000–2013. When the number is
completely vacated by relocations, the Total Count is the same as the Topic-Limited Count.
2
58X
Class
[583.26]
583.29
583.3
[583.36]
583.43
583.44
[583.45]
[583.48]
[583.49]
583.5
[583.62]
[583.624]
[583.625]
[583.626]
[583.627]
[583.628]
[583.65]
Topic
Aristolochiaceae (birthwort family)
Ceratophyllaceae (hornworts)
Illiciaceae, Schisandraceae, magnolia vine, star anise
Sarraceniaceae (New World pitcher plant family)
Eupteleaceae; Trochodendrales; Didymelaceae;
Cercidiphyllaceae (katsura trees); Casuarinaceae
(beefwoods), Myricaceae (wax myrtles), bayberries,
candleberry, sweet gale (bog myrtle); Barbeyaceae;
Leitneria; Balanopaceae; Eucommiaceae + [EO:
Tetracentraceae]
Platanaceae (sycamore family), plane trees;
Myrothamnaceae
Urticaceae (nettle family), Cannabaceae (hemp family),
Moraceae (mulberry family), Ulmaceae (elm family)
Betulaceae (birch family), alders, filberts (hazelnuts),
hornbeams; comprehensive works on ironwoods
Juglandaceae (walnut family), butternuts, hickories, pecans
Theligonum (Cynocrambe)
Dilleniaceae; Paeoniaceae (peony family);
Crossosomataceae
Asteropeiaceae; Ancistrocladaceae, Dioncophyllaceae;
Diegodendraceae, Dipterocarpaceae; Strasburgeriaceae;
Bonnetiaceae, Caryocaraceae, Clusiaceae (Guttiferae),
Elatinaceae, Hypericaceae, Lophiraceae, Medusagynaceae,
Ochnaceae, Quiinaceae, garcinias, mammee apple,
mangosteen; Oncothecaceae; Marcgraviaceae,
Pellicieraceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Tetrameristaceae,
Theaceae (Ternstroemiaceae, tea family), camellias,
Stewartia
Peridiscaceae; Bixaceae (annatto tree), Cistaceae (rockrose
family), Cochlospermaceae; Stachyuraceae; Flacourtiaceae,
Lacistemataceae, Scyphostegiaceae, Violaceae (violet
family), pansies
Caricaceae (papaya family), papaws; Achariaceae,
Malesherbiaceae, Passifloraceae (passionflower family),
Turneraceae, granadillas, maypop
Begoniaceae, Datiscaceae, begonias
Frankeniaceae, Tamaricaceae (tamarisk family), alkali
heath; Fouquieriaceae (candlewood family), ocotillo
Salicaceae (willow family), cottonwoods, Populus (poplars
and aspens), Salix
3
TopicLimited
Count1
3
0
3
3
Total
Count2
3
3
51
3
6
6
0
8
60
60
28
28
4
0
4
53
65
65
86
86
10
10
7
7
21
21
2
2
63
63
58X
Class
Topic
Ericales, Clethraceae (pepperbush family), Epacridaceae,
Ericaceae (heath family), Monotropaceae (Indian pipe
family), Pyrolaceae, Saurauiaceae, azaleas, blueberries,
[583.66]
cranberries, crowberries, heather, huckleberries, kalmias,
kiwi (Chinese gooseberry), mountain laurel,
rhododendrons, sourwood, wintergreens
Thymelaeaceae (mezereum family), daphnes, spurge laurel;
[583.67]
Diapensiaceae, galax
Ebenaceae (ebony family), Sapotaceae, Styracaceae (storax
[583.674] family), Symplocaceae (sweetleaf family), persimmons,
sapodilla, star apples
Primulaceae (primrose family), Myrsinaceae,
[583.675] Theophrastaceae, auriculas, coralberry, cyclamens,
loosestrife, primulas, shooting stars
Buxaceae (boxwood family); Dichapetalaceae,
Euphorbiaceae (spurge family), cassavas (maniocs), castor[583.69] oil plant, copperleaves, crotons, crown of thorns, heveas,
manchineels, mercuries, poinsettias, rubber tree, snow-onthe-mountain, tallow tree, tung tree
Saxifragales, Saxifragaceae (saxifrage family),
Crassulaceae, Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family),
currants, houseleeks (live-forevers), pickaback plants,
Ribes, stonecrops (orpines, sedums), Virginia willow;
[583.72] Francoaceae; Brunelliaceae, Cephalotaceae, Cunoniaceae;
Parnassiaceae and brexias; Vahliaceae; Byblidaceae;
Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea family), deutzias, mock oranges
(syringas); Escalloniaceae and escallonias; Bruniaceae;
Paracryphiaceae; Pittosporaceae (hedge laurel family)
Nepenthaceae (Old World pitcher plant family),
Droseraceae (sundew family); Venus's flytrap;
[583.75]
comprehensive works on pitcher plants, comprehensive
works on carnivorous plants
Anisophylleaceae; Brazilian spiderflowers; Lecythidaceae
583.76
(Brazil nut family)
583.763 Rhizophoraceae
Coriariaceae; Stylobasium; Rutaceae (orange family),
Anacardiaceae (mango family), Burseraceae (incense tree
family), Meliaceae (mahogany family), Simaroubaceae
(ailanthus family), cashew, chinaberry tree, citrus fruits,
[583.77]
cork trees, hog plums (Spanish plums), hop tree, orange
jessamine, pistachio, poison ivies, rue, smoke trees,
sumacs, tree of heaven, varnish trees; comprehensive works
on balms
4
TopicLimited
Count1
Total
Count2
125
125
4
4
5
5
39
39
88
88
105
105
141
141
0
72
1
47
91
91
58X
Class
Topic
Sabiaceae; Greyiaceae, Melianthaceae+ [EO: Akaniaceae,
Bretschneideraceae]
Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium family); Zygophyllaceae
(lignum vitae family), creosote bush; Oxalidaceae (wood
sorrel family), shamrock; Erythroxylaceae (coca family),
583.79
Hugoniaceae, Humiriaceae, Ixonanthaceae, Linaceae (flax
family), Malpighiaceae, wild mango (dika); Balsaminaceae
(balsam family), impatiens, jewelweeds (touch-me-nots)
Gunneraceae, gunneras; Elaeagnaceae (oleaster family);
583.82
Polygalalceae (milkwort family); Vochysiaceae;
Podostemaceae (riverweed family); Hippuris (mare's tail)
Garryaceae, Garrya; Cornales, Cornaceae (dogwood
family), tupelos (sour gums); Araliaceae (ginseng family,
[583.84]
ivy family), Torricelliaceae (Toricelliaceae), wild
sarsaparilla, comprehensive works on ivies
[583.849] Apiaceae
Aextoxicaceae; Icacinaceae; Aquifoliaceae (holly family),
583.85
maté
583.86
Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family), ironwoods, jujubes
Medusandraceae; Santalales, Santalaceae (sandalwood
family), Balanophoraceae, Loranthaceae (mistletoe family),
[583.88]
Olacaceae, Opiliaceae, Viscaceae; Dipentodontaceae;
Cardiopteridaceae (Peripterygiaceae)
[583.89] Proteales
583.93
Menyanthaceae, bog myrtle (buckbean)
Convolvulaceae (morning glory family), Cuscutaceae
583.94
(dodder family), dichondras, sweet potatoes (yams);
Loasaceae; Polemoniaceae (phlox family), Jacob's ladders
Acanthaceae (acanthus family), Bignoniaceae (catalpa
family), Buddlejaceae, Gesneriaceae, Globulariaceae,
Lentibulariaceae (bladderwort family), Martyniaceae,
Myoporaceae, Orobanchaceae (broomrape family),
Pedaliaceae (sesame family), Plantaginaceae (plantago
583.95
family), Retziaceae, Scrophulariaceae (figwort family,
snapdragon family), Trapellaceae, African violets, butterfly
bushes, calabash tree, foxglove, mulleins, Penstemon,
plantains, trumpet creepers, unicorn plants;
Hydrostachyaceae; Columelliaceae
Sphenocleaceae; Brunoniaceae, Campanulaceae (bellflower
583.98
family), Donatiaceae, Goodeniaceae, Lobeliaceae,
Stylidiaceae; bluebells, Campanula, Indian tobacco
Aloes, day lilies; Hostas (plantain lilies); Bluebells,
584.32
hyacinths, lily of the valley
583.78
5
TopicLimited
Count1
Total
Count2
0
58
47
145
8
20
45
45
53
53
3
16
4
19
48
48
94
0
94
97
19
41
72
107
15
17
67
195
58X
Class
Topic
584.34
Peruvian lily
Petermanniaceae, Philesiaceae; Stemonaceae; Taccaceae;
584.35
Philydraceae, Pontederiaceae
[584.353] Alstroemeriaceae
Velloziaceae (tree lily family); Haemodoraceae (bloodwort
584.354
family)
[584.356] Smilacaceae
[584.357] Dioscoreaceae (yam family)
[584.37] Triuridaceae
584.38
Burmanniaceae
[584.64] Araceae (arum family)
Typhaceae (Sparganiaceae), Sparganium (bur reeds),
[584.68]
Typha (cattails and bulrushes)
584.72
Water hyacinths
584.74
Najas (naiads)
584.8
Centrolepidaceae, Flagellariaceae, Restionaceae
Mayacaceae, Rapateaceae, Xyridaceae (yellow-eyed grass
584.86
family)
TopicLimited
Count1
0
Total
Count2
64
0
2
5
5
0
2
0
4
0
0
43
0
4
0
83
43
1
1
6
1
6
18
41
30
1
11
Expansions3
New
location
583
583.38
583.68
583.685
583.822
583.99
583.952
584.32
Topic
Angiosperms (flowering plants)
Nelumbonaceae (lotuses)
Sphaerosepalaceae
Bombacaceae (silk cotton tree family), balsa, baobabs,
basswood, cacao, jute, kapok, kola nuts, Sterculia, Tilia
(lindens, lime trees)
Krameriaceae
Calyceraceae
Nolanaceae
Liliales
3
TopicLimited
Count
119
14
0
41
0
0
0
4
Total
Count
6561
51
105
50
20
189
107
92
Expansion counts were computed the same as if they were relocations from the superordinate class number to the
subordinate class number.
6
Discontinuation4
From
To
584.66
584.6
Topic
Pandanales
TopicLimited
Count
5
Total
Count
5
Analysis of recent angiosperm literature
We now address the last three questions. Investigation here began with a search against
WorldCat bibliographic data for records for 2012–2013 to which have been assigned DDC
numbers in 583 or 584 or 63X numbers built on the basis of 583 or 584 numbers.
An examination of scientific names among the LCSH assigned to these works reveals that, with
very few exceptions, the taxonomic groups being written about currently are taxa recognized
both by APG III and by earlier classifications. That is, the recent literature argues neither for nor
against the proposed revisions. The exceptions are few enough in number that giving exact
numbers and percentages would be misleading. The exceptions include both taxa newly
recognized by and taxa no longer recognized by the APG. In that sense, the data argue (quite
mildly) both for and against the proposed revisions.
The LCSHs assigned to this body of literature are more likely to be common names than
scientific names; the common names and the scientific names both occur frequently at the family
and genus levels. The APG III classification differs from earlier classifications mostly in terms
of how families and higher-level taxonomic units are organized into the taxonomic units above
them. Given that the DDC mentions mostly orders and families, revising the DDC to
accommodate APG III would require many changes, especially relocations.
The proposed changes can be seen as mostly an issue of collocation, with the added issue of
recognizing some number of completely new taxonomic groups. The issue of collocation is
whether families classed in the same number relate to one another as established by
modern/phylogenetic techniques or as established by other techniques. As to the issue of which
taxonomic groups are recognized, we call to mind the findings reported in Tables 1 and 2 of EPC
Exhibit 136-19.1, from which we drew the following conclusions: “Modification of 583–584 to
accommodate APG III is supported by the general trend of decreasing use of rank-based
terminology and increasing use of phylogenetic terminology over these time periods”; and
“Sixty percent of [orders newly recognized in the APG system] now appear in bibliographic
records; of these, several have achieved semi-robust literary warrant levels.”
4
The discontinuation count was computed the same as if it were a relocation from the subordinate class number to
the superordinate class number.
7
Analysis of need for additional expansions
Investigation here began with a search against WorldCat bibliographic data for records for 2000–
2013 to which have been assigned DDC numbers in 583 or 584 or 63X numbers built on the
basis of 583 or 584 numbers:
:dd=(583* or 584* or 633.883* or 633.884* or 634.973* or 635.933* or 635.934* or
635.9773* or 635.9774*) and :yr=2000–2013
From the output of this search were identified the main heading of associated LCSH and the base
58X number. For example, given the following 082 and 650 fields from one of the retrieved
records:
082
00
$a 635.9/77378 $2 21
650
#0
$a Japanese maple.
650
#0
$a Fullmoon maple.
650
#0
$a Maple $z Japan.
650
#6
$a Érable du Japon.
650
#6
$a Acer japonicum.
650
#6
$a Érable $z Japon.
the following three data pairs were extracted:
583.78 Japanese maple
583.78 Fullmoon maple
583.78 Maple
Worth noting:
 The class number 635.9/77378 has been converted to 583.78, because that is the 58X
number used in building 635.977378.
 The 650 fields for Erable du Japon, Acer japonicum, and Erable—Japon are ignored
because they are not LCSH.
 $a Maple $z Japan moves forward as just the main heading Maple.
We developed three views on these data:
1. Cumulative counts for class numbers, sorted in decreasing order. For example, Appendix
A displays those with counts > ca. 50.
2. Cumulative counts for LCSH main headings, sorted in decreasing order. Appendix B
displays those with counts ≥ 15.
3. Cumulative counts for class number / LCSH main heading, sorted by count in decreasing
order. For example, there were 29 occurrences of the data pair 583.78 Maple. Appendix
C displays those with counts ≥ 10.
In considering possible expansions, we are looking for taxonomic units/groups with sufficient
literary warrant, but that do not already account for the majority of their DDC class, and where
the number of works classed in the DDC number are sufficiently large to warrant subdivision.
On the basis of this investigation the following classes have been identified as possibly
benefitting from expansion as part of the proposed revision: 583.46 Fagales, 583.96 Lamiales,
and 583.975 Ericales.
8
Appendix A
Cumulative Counts for Class Numbers
1126
546
540
336
291
195
186
169
164
161
156
142
584.4
583.734
584.9
583.99
583.766
583.56
583.9
584.32
584.5
583.74
583.7
583
141
121
119
113
106
103
101
97
96
90
89
83
583.96
583.75
583.79
583.46
583.6
584
583.66
583.748
583.89
583.34
583.95
583.64
82
82
79
78
73
71
71
70
70
66
65
57
583.73
584.3
583.77
583.53
583.93
583.69
584.84
583.624
583.72
583.76
584.38
583.8
57
56
54
52
51
50
50
50
50
49
584.34
584.352
583.65
583.62
583.78
583.5
583.765
583.952
584.39
583.45
Appendix B
Cumulative Counts for LCSH Main Headings
867
467
239
219
170
118
111
99
94
93
92
63
62
61
60
59
59
55
52
51
48
47
46
46
44
44
Orchids
Roses
Grasses
Eucalyptus
Cactus
Endangered plants
Palms
Sunflowers
Plants
Carnivorous plants
Bamboo
Seagrasses
Oak
Ornamental grasses
Succulent plants
Legumes
Clematis
Tulips
Rhododendrons
Old roses
Trees
Medicinal plants
Lavenders
Fuchsia
Proteaceae
Acacia
43
40
39
38
37
37
36
35
35
34
34
34
32
31
29
27
26
25
25
25
24
24
22
22
21
21
Cyperaceae
Bromeliaceae
Compositae
Peonies
Plants, Ornamental
Camellias
Lilies
Rare plants
Irises (Plants)
Wild flowers
Flowers
Aloe
Hosta
Maple
Carex
Monocotyledons
Pelargoniums
Myrtaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Dicotyledons
Umbelliferae
Apples
Protea
English roses
Polyradicion lindenii
Mangrove plants
9
21
19
19
19
19
19
18
18
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
16
16
16
16
15
15
15
15
15
Hydrangeas
Willows
Liliaceae
Geraniums
Eucalyptus grandis
Banksia
Dahlias
Azaleas
Weeds
Pitcher plants
Heather
Ginseng
Endemic plants
Chrysanthemums
Beans
Baobab
Corn
Araceae
Apocynaceae
Acanthaceae
Seeds
Mangrove forests
Grain
Daffodils
Cannabis
Appendix C
Cumulative Counts for Class Number / LCSH Main Headings Pairs
758
383
203
201
138
99
86
86
83
56
52
49
48
44
44
43
42
42
40
39
37
36
35
33
31
30
29
29
29
29
28
24
24
22
22
21
20
20
20
20
19
19
18
18
18
18
584.4
583.734
584.9
583.766
583.56
584.5
583.99
584.9
583.75
584.9
583.46
583.34
584.32
583.734
583.74
583.66
583.76
583.96
583.748
583.56
583.89
584.85
584.84
583.62
584.38
583.99
583.624
583.78
584.15
584.32
584.84
583.79
584.3
583
584.74
583.73
583.72
583.734
583.849
584.742
583.69
583.89
583.763
583.89
584
584.352
Orchids
Roses
Grasses
Eucalyptus
Cactus
Palms
Sunflowers
Bamboo
Carnivorous plants
Ornamental grasses
Oak
Clematis
Tulips
Old roses
Legumes
Rhododendrons
Fuchsia
Lavenders
Acacia
Succulent plants
Proteaceae
Bromeliaceae
Cyperaceae
Peonies
Irises (Plants)
Compositae
Camellias
Maple
Orchids
Hosta
Carex
Pelargoniums
Lilies
Dicotyledons
Seagrasses
Apples
Hydrangeas
English roses
Umbelliferae
Seagrasses
Euphorbiaceae
Banksia
Mangrove plants
Protea
Monocotyledons
Aloe
17
17
16
16
16
15
15
15
15
15
15
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
583.65
583.66
583.99
584.4
584.64
583.372
583.74
583.763
583.766
583.79
584.4
583.45
583.66
583.765
583.87
584.92
583.748
583.766
583.95
583.96
583.99
583.64
583.675
583.68
583.766
583.84
583.89
583.99
584.32
584.4
584.9
583.47
583.627
583.75
583.75
583.765
583.93
583.93
583.96
584.34
583
583
583.69
583.74
583.78
583.79
Willows
Heather
Dahlias
Polyradicion lindenii
Araceae
Roses
Beans
Mangrove forests
Eucalyptus grandis
Geraniums
Endangered plants
Cannabis
Azaleas
Myrtaceae
Emerald ash borer
Corn
Wattles (Plants)
Eucalyptus globulus
Acanthaceae
Lamiaceae
Hawkweeds
Arabidopsis
Primroses
Baobab
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Ginseng
Grevillea
Chrysanthemums
Aloe
Dendrobium
Grain
Cactus
Begonias
Pitcher plants
Nepenthes
Melaleuca
Gentianaceae
Apocynaceae
Salvia
Daffodils
Plant diseases
Agronomy
Euphorbia
Sweet peas
Japanese maple
Geraniaceae
10
10
10
10
583.87
583.88
583.89
584
Ash (Plants)
Sandalwood
Wild flowers
Orchids
10
10
10
11
584.4
584.5
584.92
Slipper orchids
Plants, Ornamental
Sugarcane