if * 
' (II) This view will be urged with great force in Singapore. 
(▼) I have myself urged that the F.M.S. should have their own 
Systematic Botanist and Herbarium but I have not on that 
ground advooated the abolition of the Singapore Office. 
There is ample work in the country for two 
men but even if there is not there is no reason why the 
Singapore appointment should not he allowed to lapse when the 
present^reaches pensionable age, 
* 
I agree with you that forest and agricultural 
departments Mnn(w should have one small special herbaria and I 
further think that there should be a forest Botanist and an 
Xoenomlo Botanist. But there should be also be a Systematic 
botanist and his department as in many other countries should 
• . I | 
form part of the Museums, where machinery for collecting and 
housing and dealing with collections already exists. I have the 
wy support of the highest botanical authority in stating that 
not more then twenty five per cent of the flora has the slightesl 
bearing on forestry and therefore Z think that with this phase 
(i.e. Systematic Botany) we are more directly conoerned than you 
As regards 12. 
(a) 1 am not sure that this would not 
+ 
have a very deadening effect end there are many practical diff¬ 
iculties in the way. The idea looks well on paper but who is to 
be the authority to draw up the programme? 
t 
(b) I have had long discussions on the subject of the 
Indian Board of Scientific Advice with a member of that board 
with the idea of suggesting to Government the introduction of a 
similar body here. My informant tells me that the board is of no 
# 
practical use in that it is clothed with no authority and that 
its work is maihly concerned with the record of scientific 
work done in India and the expression of pious opinion*. 
To be any real use the board wopld have to be clothed 
I 
with plenary authority. In this country it could only be M M MyMMM 
composed of the heads of the various technical and scientific 
departments. 
