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number of fungus species is at work reducing 
the dead organic matter of the Pacific islands 
to humus and mineral material. In addition to 
fungi of these types there are also plant path- 
ogens, soil molds, and probably aquatic fungi 
on land, and marine fungi parasitizing algae 
and growing on the ocean floor, especially where 
there is decaying wood. Recent work in the 
North Atlantic indicates that there is a popula- 
tion of fungi in marine sediments to consider- 
able depth. 
According to the unidentifiable material in 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XV, April 1961 
Doty’s collections, there are several species of 
polypores, thelephores, and agarics in the my- 
cobiota of Raroia. In addition there are other 
types of molds associated with wood. In collect- 
ing such fungi great care must be exercised in 
the drying process to insure against the second- 
ary invasion of mold fungi in the tissues and 
sporiferous areas of the sporophore. It is hoped 
that additional collections will be made in the 
Pacific Basin in order that the fungal popula- 
tions and their activities may become better 
known. 
