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RESEARCH

personality types in cancer patients has been completed. Studies in epistemology and in personality theory are in progress, the latter in conjunction with the Student Health Service. Several new research programmes, as well as old projects, were conducted in the Faculty of Science.

Research work in the Department of Botany continued satisfac- torily and expanded to include new aspects. Investigations in mycology included studies of the ecology of soil fungi in Hong Kong and the collection of specimens for the mycological herba- rium. In addition a continuous survey of the air spora in relation to climatic conditions was initiated together with a study of mycotic infections of plants, man and animals. In the near future, the Department expects to initiate research concerned with different aspects of soil fertility and also with the relationship between enzyme activity and nitrogen metabolism in plants.

The Department of Chemistry pursued research in the fields of mechanisms of chemical reactions; chemistry of plant products; electro-chemistry and inorganic reactions at elevated temperatures; studies of molecular structure by means of X-ray diffraction and reaction kinetics. Research in the Department of Mathematics was carried out in differential geometry, trigonometric series, low- temperature physics and many-body problems; while in statistics, work was done in sample design and planning and direction of a survey for rent change for domestic accommodation on the Island of Hong Kong.

The Department of Zoology conducted research along several lines. A small team of workers recently commenced research into various aspects of form and function in the adrenal gland of vertebrates. Other investigations have been made with the collabo- ration of members of St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School, London, involving long-term study of the breeding cycles of snakes and mammals obtainable in Hong Kong. A programme of research into the parasites of local mammals was conducted in collaboration with the Bishop Museum of Honolulu and a survey of the mam- mals of Hong Kong was also carried out. These projects are still in progress as is work on a study of the development of teeth, jaws and associated structures in shrews. Extensive entomological studies were carried out during the year.