peculiar for containing much fewer species of Boletes and agarics than usual. 
Cantharellus cibarius . abundant in 1959, was wholely absent. Fructifications 
of Hydnum repandum were found in great abundance. 
46. A number of instances of mushroom poisoning were brought to 
the attention of the Gardens by the Medical and Chemical Departments for 
identification of the fungus concerned. Two instances involved Lepiota 
spp. In both cases the fructifications were gathered from the foot of banana 
clumps. One was identified as the poisonous L. morgani and is thought to 
be mycorrhizal on bananas. The other could not be identified with cer- 
tainty. If indeed L. morgani grows in association with bananas, the public 
should be warned to be careful of fructifications gathered from near banana 
plants. There are at least five species of Lepiota . Extracts of two growing 
on dung were made by an University physiology research worker who in- 
jected the extracts into rabbits. One extract caused no distress, the other 
produced diarrhoea. The genus Lepiota clearly has more than one poisonous 
species. 
47. The Department also received fungus specimens from Jungle War- 
fare Training School in Johore. These were identified as Lentims sp. (Sayor 
caju) and Schizophyllum sp. both of which are edible. While this is satis- 
factory to know, the J.W.T. School, conducting survival courses for forest- 
benighted servicemen, has indeed an overwhelming and unenviable task to 
put across such information and the like to those on whose memory of it 
depends perhaps their survival. 
XIV. EXCHANGE AND ACQUISITION. 
48. Specimens were again distributed to the usual botanical institutions 
outside Singapore. 3,901 duplicates were sent out as against 3,786 in 1959. 
Specimens received in exchange or as gifts numbered 3,829. This year the 
greatest number came from Mr. P. S. Ashton, Forest Department, Brunei, 
with contributions from the Forest Department, Kuching, and Dr. Kostermans 
at Bogor were next in order. Details of despatches and receipts are given 
in Appendix IV. Our thanks are offered to all who sent material. Accession 
of material through domestic sources amounted to 1,400 numbers. 
XV. TAXONOMY. 
49. Mr. Sinclair continued throughout the year his work on Malaysian 
Myristicaceae (Nutmeg family) in collaboration with the Flora Malesiana 
Foundation. His monograph on the genus Knema, prepared before his visit 
to Sarawak and Brunei, had to be considerably amended in the light of his 
findings there in the field. The revised text now far more complete was 
finished by the end of the year. 
50. Work was begun on naming the abundant collections of P. S. 
Ashton from Brunei. This and material from other sources has severely 
taxed the capacity of the staff to keep pace and burdens the available space 
within the herbarium building, now curtailed by delapidations. The provi- 
sion of further herbarium space has become an urgent necessity. 
51. Dr. Chew Wee Lek on his return from overseas training began to 
rewrite his doctoral thesis on Poikilospermim (Urticaceae) and Taxotrophis 
(Moraceae) in a form suitable for publication. Concurrently he has begun 
work on the genera Fleurya and Laportea with the aim of undertaking a 
revision of the family Urticaceae. 
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ii 
