38 



The book is in three parts, of which the first two (on "asexual reproduction" 

 and "physiological regeneration" respectively) occupy about one quarter of the 

 book. The third part is concerned with "reparative regeneration". Throughout 

 the book the subject matter is organized strictly according to taxonomic groups. 

 Furthermore each part contains one or two general sections. The third part is 

 preceded by a historical outline. 



In the opinion of the reviewer the chief interest of the book is in its systematic set-up. 

 and in the fact that it discusses a wealth of Russian Hterature which is as a rule not 

 immediately accessible to western readers. A further notable feature of the book is the 

 extensive treatment of organ regeneration in mammals. Naturally, the balance is strongly 

 towards Russian literature, particularly in part three, but it must be said that as a consequence 

 some western scientists are not given fair treatment at all. 



According to a publisher's note the topicality of the book has necessitated reproduction 

 of the text by photo-lithography in order to save time. Apart from the resulting very small 

 letter type, which makes reading very tiring, this haste has had some further unpleasant 

 consequences. There are many small typographical and editorial errors and inconsequences, 

 but the worst flaw consists in numerous grave anomalies in the spelling of authors' names. 

 These have apparently resulted from retransliteration of names originally transliterated into 

 Russian. A few of the worst examples are: Abelo for Abeloos, Ampet for Hampe, Dreisch 

 for Driesch, Gertvig for Hertwig, Tsvilling for Zwilling. Some of the mistakes occur again 

 in the bibliography, while others do not. 



Looking at the bibliography one notices that the most recent titles date from 1956. The 

 system of bibliographical references is open to serious criticism. The bibliography is nothing 

 more than an appendix listing some of the most important titles for each particular section. 

 One searches in vain for further bibliographical data of innumerable references in the text. 

 This is particularly serious in a field like regeneration, where there exists so much controversy 

 that it is absolutely necessary to be able to go to the sources. Moreover, this feature of the 

 book greatly reduces its value as a guide into Russian literature, and as a reference work 

 in general. 



The numerous illustrations are of heterogeneous quality. The usefulness of a number of 

 figures may be doubted, the more so since in several instances the legends and the labelling 

 are definitely lacking in clarity. The authors of the figures are mentioned, but no biblio- 

 graphical data are given. The book is concluded by an alphabetical index, but an author 

 index is lacking. 



"BIOLOGICAL ORGANISATION. 



cellular and sub-cellular" 



1959 



Editor: C. H. Waddington 

 (Proceedings of a Symposium, organ- 

 ised on behalf of U.N.E.S.C.O., held at 

 the University of Edinburgh, 

 September 1957) 

 328 pp., 84 figs. 



Pergamon Press 



London, New York, Paris, 



Los Angeles 



Price: 70 s. 



This interesting and stimulating book is the outcome of a Symposium organ- 

 ised on behalf of UNESCO by Prof. C. H. Waddington. Is took place at the 

 University of Edinburgh in September, 1957. This appears to have been a 

 Symposium in the truest sense of the word: a totally informal gathering of a 

 limited number (27) of leading specialists. No papers were read, but the 

 meeting was prepared by circulating bibliographies and short accounts of new 

 factual data by all participants. The discussion proceeded according to a 

 rather detailed plan, which serves as an introduction to the book. The rest of 

 the book consists of slightly adapted taperecordings of the actual proceedings. 



