36 



larvae and adults of various anuran species. The main part of the book is 

 occupied by 84 photographs illustrating the cases discussed. From the view- 

 point of photographic and reproductive technique the majority of the illustra- 

 tions are not very satisfactory. The book is concluded by a short bibliography 

 and a list of illustrations. 



"PLANT MORPHOGENESIS" 

 1960 



by E. W. Sinnott McGraw-Hill Publ. Cy. 



550 pp., 216 figs. New York, Toronto, London 



Price: 97 s. 



This important book is the first attempt to synthesize the various aspects of 

 plant morphogenesis. Recent expansion in this subject has made such a syn- 

 thesis imperative. 



The author has been active in this field for more than 40 years. He has 

 designed his book primarily as a reference work, but there is nevertheless a 

 central problem which pervades the whole book, viz. that of "biological organi- 

 zation", which the author considers the most important problem in contemp- 

 orary biology. Increasing numbers of biologists have come to realize that this 

 fundamental problem should be attacked by botanists and zoologists working 

 closely together. Many zoologists will feel obliged to the author for having 

 provided them with a means of quick orientation in the field of plant morpho- 

 genesis. 



Throughout the book the emphasis lies on the "postembryonic" phases of 

 plant development. This is obviously a consequence of the fact that there exists 

 already an excellent book dealing with the descriptive and experimental aspects 

 of the strictly embryonic phase, viz. Wardlaw's "Embryogenesis in plants" of 

 1955. These two books complement each other, and a really comprehensive 

 view of the field of plant morphogenesis can only be obtained by studying both. 



In the present work the subject matter has been organized in three major 

 parts. The first part deals with growth and its cellular and meristematic basis. 

 The second part discusses the phenomena of morphogenesis, viz. correlation, 

 polarity, symmetry, differentiation, regeneration, tissue mixtures (chimeras 

 etc.), and abnormal development. The third part finally discusses the various 

 physical, chemical and genetical factors involved in morphogenesis. A separate 

 section is devoted to growth substances. The book is rounded off by a general 

 chapter on biological organization. 



It is particularly the second part of the book, and more specifically such 

 sections as that on regeneration and that on abnormal growth (galls!), which 

 provide fascinating reading for anyone concerned with developmental biology. 



The book has a selected, but still extensive bibliography which contains 

 important older titles as well as a large number of the most recent ones. A 

 considerable number of review papers have been included. 



The book is concluded by author and subject indexes. It is well illustrated 

 and well printed. 



