172 Transactions British Mycological Society. 
countries as yet almost unexplored (if we except the work of 
Castellani) in regard to the former of these subjects and I hope 
we can do something to stimulate research in it, and perhaps 
help in its more purely mycological side. Whether the Bureau 
can take any active part in the study of technically important 
fungi or not it is as yet difficult to say, but I have already had 
enquiries of this nature both in India and since I joined the 
Bureau, and I think there is a need in this direction also which 
we might do something to fill. 
To sum up, it seems to me that the Bureau can be most 
usefully engaged if it has amongst its functions: 
(1) The accumulation and distribution of information on all 
matters concerning the diseases of plants caused by fungi, of 
interest to workers in the overseas parts of the Empire. 
(2) The publication of a periodical abstracting journal on the 
lines of The Review of Applied Entomology. 
(3) The formation of a good reference library, especially of 
original papers in the reprint or “separate” form which will be 
available for issue on loan. 
(4) The organization of a system for securing reasonably 
prompt identification of injurious fungi. 
(5) The critical study of parasitic fungi which are at present 
the subject of confusion, such study to be in large part based 
on cultural methods; and the arrangement of facilities for the 
supply of authentically named cultures to overseas workers. 
(6) The formation of a good working herbarium of parasitic 
fungi, with larger specimens and photographs illustrating 
diseases not known in this country; and the supply of named 
collections to other institutes and individuals. 
(7) The provision of laboratory facilities to enable overseas 
workers to continue work, in problems in which they are 
interested, when in England. 
(8) The organization of a central agency from which up-to- 
date information on such matters as legislation against plant 
diseases caused by fungi and recent progress in methods of 
control by spraying and the like can be supplied. 
(9) The stimulation, as opportunity arises, of the study of 
other branches of applied mycology, such as those referred to 
above as being of interest in medicine and technology. 
