that the replacement cost of wooden breakwaters, pilings amd wharves in 
     
     North America amounts to about $50—million U.S. every year. 
     
    

    
     While wood borers cause most of the deterioration of wood in the sea,. 
     
     fungi and bacteria are thought to play an important, but as yet unknown, 
     
     part in the success of the borers. 
     
    

    
     Surprisingly, little information is available on the reaction of mar- 
     
     ine fugni to chemically treated wood. Wood used for man-made structures is 
     
     normally treated with a preservative (usually creosote) but eventually, 
     
     leaching from the surface of the wood allows fungi to settle and grow. 
     
    

    
     So, the next time you are strolling along the shore of Malpeque Bay 
     
     and come upon a piece of driftwood or an old lobster trap, you might just 
     
     remember that there, just out of sight, is a species of fungi found no— 
     
     where else in the world. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Note from a reader 
     
    
   
   
    
     I received an interesting letter from a reader last week that I will 
     
     pass along to everyone else. 
     
    

    
     "As a member of the Island's Natural History Society, I am moved to 
     
     write following my recent reading of the Nov.-Dec. 86 Island Naturalist. 
     
    

    
     "The newsletter referred to above struck me as on of the most inter- 
     
     esting for some time. There was plenty to sink one's teeth into, yet for 
     
     reason of the deletion of the customary bird sightings, it left a disap- 
     
     pointing void, in my opinion. Especially at this time of year reports of 
     
     rare bird sightings are of great interest to readers of the report, to say 
     
     nothing of the intense thrill of the actual sighting. It is to be hoped a 
     
     that this issue is merely a once-only lapse in the reporting of bird sight 
     
     ings. . 
     
    

    
     "The story painted by R.B. MacLaren of the "rape of the smelt school" 
     
     by our noble cormorant tribe was thought-provoking to say the least! 
     
    

    
     "The article written by Brian Dalzell was most interesting, not too 
     
     flowery or lengthy, full-of lucid and exciting detail. We could do with 
     
     many more such informative articles, on any of the many areas of nature, 
     
     wildlife and especially of the Island where we live. 
     
    

    
     "To close, Gary, let me congratulate you on the way you put the Island 
     
     Naturalist together, a task which cannot be easy. 
     
    

    
     Sincerely yours, 
     
     Marguerite Wheatley 
     
    

    
     First off, the newsletter is fun and easy for me, especially when I 
     
     get feedback from the actual people reading_it. Hopefully the problem of 
     
     the missing bird sightings has been solved (see page 15), a compromise, »7"H 
     
     but one that most members should be happy with. Besides focussing on the 
     
     rarer sightings, it also leaves more room for other stories. I would like 
     
     to add my thanks to Brian Dalzell, who has consistently come through with 
     
     interesting and different stories, including one in this issue. And one 
     
     more positive result of readers' letters (for me) - as a result of Bruce 
     
     MacLaren's letter last issue, and a subsequent phone call, Bruce has agreed 
     
    
   
   
    
     to do a story on P.E.I.'s pretty floral emblem, the pink lady's slipper. 
     
     The story Wlll be featured in t e March—April newsletter, an hopefu 1y 
     
    
   
   
    
     there will be more to come. Also, the plant that Bruce found was Cardamine 
     
     flexuosa. Thanks again for all those who take the time and effort to ex- 
     
     press their views. 
     
    

    
     _6_ O