Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Somatic structures. 3. Physiology. 4. Reproduction. 5. Ecological groups. 6. Pathology of fungal plant diseases. 7. Importance. 8. Classification. Division Myxomycota: 9. Class Myxomycetes. 10. Class Plasmodiophoromycetes. The Lower Fungi: 11. Class Chytridiomycetes. 12. Class Oomycetes. 13. Class Zygomycetes. 14. Class Trichomycetes. The higher fungi: 15. Sub-division Ascomycotina. 16. Class Hemiascomycetes. 17. Class Plectomycetes. 18. Class Pyrenomycetes. 19. Class Laboulbeniomycetes. 20. Class Discomycetes. 21. Class Loculoascomycetes. 22. Sub-division Basidiomycotina. 23. Class Teliomycetes. 24. Class Hymenomycetes. 25. Class Gasteromycetes. 26. Sub-divison Deuteromycotina. 27. Fungal Symbioses. I A. Lichens. I B. Mycorrhizae. II. Fungus-insect associations. References. List of books. Journals of mycology.

From the preface: "This edition closely follows the organization of the earlier ones. Part I, with 8 chapters, is very general with the intention to provide a critical but brief introduction to the background facts needed for a detailed study of the fungi. With this foundation laid the different groups have first been dealt briefly emphasizing their salient features. Many of the important genera representing the different groups have been dealt with in some detail to provide composite information to the reader for a practical study of the more common fungi even though it may have involved repetition of facts. The main consideration in choosing these genera has been their more common occurrence and their importance. Sometimes, therefore, more than one genus has been taken, as both Pythium and Phytophthora of the Pythiaceae. Two form-genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are treated as members of the ascomycetes simply as a convention although their place among the Hyphomycetes is more justifiable. The book also covers briefly the pathology, including the cycle and control measures, of the important parasites. Thus, although the approach to the subject is primarily a morphological taxonomical one, which is essential for laying the foundation of a study of fungi, the student is made aware of the significant physiological, genetical and pathological knowledge of fungi. It is believed that the student at this stage of university career should be made aware of the essential facets of knowledge of this important group of organisms, the fungi, to enable him in future to adopt any one of them of his liking."

[Brahma Swarup Mehrotra is retired professor of Botany, University of Allahabad.]

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