ECONOMIC MYCOLOGY. 
323 
the foundation of a central laboratory for the cultivation and dis- 
tribution of pure cultures of fungi and bacteria would be a develop- 
ment of great value to the nation. Dr. Kral's laboratory fulfilled 
a very important function in the distribution of organisms in pure 
culture of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria and certain fungi, 
and now that this supply is no longer available we find ourselves in 
a position similar to that created by the lack of aniline dyes, optical 
glass, &c. I would strongly advocate the formation of a national 
institution for pure cultures which would be comparable to the National 
Physical Laboratory, from which type specimens could always be 
procured and critical determinations assured, and which would be 
of sufficiently wide scope to serve the needs of the medical bacterio- 
logist, the plant pathologist, agriculturist, brewer, tanner, &c. The 
British Empire should surely possess one such centre, instead of being 
dependent upon a foreign source of supply. 
Before concluding, may I again refer to the great value of research 
in plant hygiene ? A distinction must be drawn between Mycology 
and Plant Pathology. The mere working out of life-histories is only 
the preliminary step ; behind this lies a whole series of researches in 
chemical physiology and pathology which may throw light upon 
problems connected with both the animal and the plant. Although 
the animal widely differs from the plant in having a nervous and a 
circulatory system, yet both obey the same laws of physical chemistry, 
and it may not be unreasonable to suppose that the plant may possess 
bodies analogous to the protective anti-bodies of the animal, so well 
known in medical bacteriology. Already animal pathology has 
gained much by botanical discoveries, and it behoves the botanist 
to seek in the advances of physiological chemistry, as affecting 
animal pathology, their significance in relation to plant diseases and 
immunity. 
In considering the present position of Economic Mycology I have 
only attempted, very sketchily, to show the pressing need of further 
provision for the prosecution of pathological research throughout the 
country, leaving to others the proposal of any definite scheme by 
which this might be accomplished. 
References. 
Hunter, C. " Some Observations on the Effect of Soil Aeration on Plant 
Growth." Proceedings of the University of Durham Philosophical Society, 
vol. iv. 1911-1912. 
Jones, L. R. " Disease Resistance of Potatos." U.S. Department of Agri- 
culture. Bureau of Plant Industry — Bulletin 87, 1905. 
Melhus, I. E. " Experiments on Spore Germination and Infection in Certain 
Species of Oomycetes." University of Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Research Bulletin, No. 15, June 1911. 
Potter, M. C. " Rottenness of Turnips and Swedes in Store." Journal of 
the Board of Agriculture, vol. iii., No. 2. 
" Note on some Experiments on Finger-and-Toe." Journal of the New- 
castle Farmers' Club, 1896. 
Potts, G. " Finger-and-Toe (Plasmodiophora Brassicae)." Report of the 
British Association, South Africa. 1905- 
Sorauer, P. " Handbuch der Pflanzenkrankheiten." Third Edition, 1908- 
1913. 
