748 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



studies. Large number of species of Fungi known : very few records in many 

 districts. Further study and comparison of the Fungus Flora of different districts 

 desirable. The work of the Mycological Committee of the Yorkshire Naturalists' 

 Union. Many interesting biological problems connected with variation and dis- 

 tribution of the Fungi remaining for investigation. The succession of species in 

 a given district throughout the seasons. Study of the Fungi of a single district. 

 Edible and Poisonous Fungi. The life-history of the Fungi. Variations of 

 form in the life-cycle of many species. Methods of reproduction. Absence of 

 sexuality in many groups. Influence of external conditions. Colours of the 

 Fungi. Eecording observations. Drawings : photography. Colour-photography. 



The Chairman heartily thanked Mr. Wager on behalf of the Conference for 

 the exceedingly valuable and suggestive paper they had listened to. He hoped 

 it would lead to a good discussion and increased interest in the subject. 



Professor M. C. Potter (Newcastle-on-Tyne Literary and Philosophical Society) 

 said that the subject was one in which there was much work still to do. He 

 also drew attention to certain literature which might prove of value to members 

 of the Conference. 



Miss Lorrain Smith (British Museum) emphasised the importance of the 

 problems suggested for study by Mr. Wager; many of them only to be studied 

 by naturalists living in the country and able to watch the developments of the 

 plants day by day. Accurate data were wanted as to the occurrence and 

 different habitats of many of the species. Weather-changes are important 

 as bearing on their development, and careful records were needed as to the 

 species that succumb to unfavourable atmospheric conditions, and also as to 

 those that are practically unaffected. Exact knowledge of species should be 

 aimed at by all interested in the subject. A systematic study of fungi was 

 strongly recommended. 



Mrs. White (School Nature Study Union) remarked that the paper would 

 be to her a message of encouragement to carry back to her Society. Three 

 years ago the Union had started the study of fungi bv means of forays, 

 lectures, and demonstrations. The members had started in ignorance, had 

 gradually acquired a knowledge of the kinds of fungi, and now were ready to 

 attack problems such as Mr. Wager had suggested. She felt sure that they 

 would be most grateful to Mr. Wager for having brought this subject forward. 



Mr. W. N. Cheesman (Yorkshire Mycological Union) emphasised the im- 

 portance of the study of mveology from an economic standpoint ; probably one-half 

 of the loss yearly of 200.000,000?. to vegetation by fungi could be averted by 

 remedies. He suggested that natural history societies should encourage the study 

 of mycology as an attractive section of their work and as giving employment to 

 botanists, especially in the autumn, when flowering plants are hardly available. 

 He would like to see a 'London Catalogue ' eiving localities and frequency of 

 species. Finally, he would welcome any endeavour to focus the scattered work 

 of mvcologists throughout the country. 



Miss H. C. T. Fraser (London) agreed as to the very valuable work which 

 lav in the power of local N.H. societies. She emphasised the need of the study 

 of discomycetous forms, and pointed out that an accurate knowledge of their 

 occurrence in the field was an important preliminary to the investigation of their 

 minute structure. She suggested that the Central Committee referred to might 

 usefully be formed in relation with the British Mycological Society. 



Mr. F. T. Brooks (Cambridge Botany School) spoke of the great help fre- 

 quently given to laboratory-workers by members of local natural history 

 societies who devoted time to the study of fungi in the field. He emphasised 

 the importance of paying special attention to the distribution and frequency 

 of fungus-pests in any organised survey of the fungus-flora of this country. 

 He also appealed for some instruction in the use of fungi as food, instancing 

 the fact that on the Continent many more kinds are commonly eaten than in 

 Britain. 



Sir Daniel Morris (Bournemouth Natural Science Society) reiterated the fact 

 that natural history societies could easily take up the study of fungoid plant- 

 pests in their district. As an instance of work to be done on the South Coast, 

 he called the attention of botanists to a fungus on the leaves of Euortymus, 



