167 



We appreciate it very much that this first critical approach has been made, 

 and warmly recommend this book to all embryologists. 



P. D. NIEUWKOOP 



Lilhe's ..DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHICK" 



(An introduction to Embryology) 

 1952 



Revised by H. L. Hamilton Henry Holt and Co. 



624 pp. with 283 figs New York 



price: $ 8.50 



After a short introduction in which some general biological theories are 

 followed historically, the structure of the male and female germ cell is 

 described. 



The first part of the book deals with the early development till the end 

 of the third day at which all organ systems have been laid down in their 

 primitive form. The development of the egg in the ovary and its transport 

 through tuba and uterus, the maturation and fertilization, the period of 

 cleavage and the formation of a double-layered blastoderm till the stage at 

 which the egg is normally laid, are discussed in extenso and illustrated with 

 clear and original figures. Then the external development is pictured on the 

 basis of the normal table of the chick, made by Hamburger and Hamilton, 

 which has been fully reproduced in this textbook. This forms a very worthful 

 extension of this new edition. The development of the primitive streak is 

 described extensively on the basis of the most recent investigations, as well 

 as the topography of the presumptive organ rudiments at the definitive 

 primitive streak stage. The description o. the development of the embryo 

 during the formation of the somites and the oucgrowth of amnion and allantois 

 is illustrated with excellent picures. Special attention is paid to the development 

 of the nervous system and the sense organs, the alimentary tract and the 

 various mesodermal structures. 



After the third day the further development is treated according to organ 

 systems; after the development of the external form and the embryonic mem- 

 branes have been followed step by step all organs pass in review. The blood 

 circulation is already briefly discussed in this chapter, but the colour plates, 

 how attractive as pictured, only partly fulfil their purpose; the colours, red 

 and blue, used respectively for the arterial and venous system, may be 

 confusing since it is not clearly indicated that they do not coincide with 

 the physiological condition of the blood for which they are normally also used. 



The development of the nervous system is discussed in detail. It would be 

 advisable to mention the staining techniques used in the reproduced histological 

 preparations. This would show the less experienced students that these 

 structures have to be made visible with a special technique. 



The discussion of the various organ systems is done just as thoroughly 

 as the description of the early development and offers a great richness of data 

 illustrated with carefully selected or original figures, all of which are richly 

 and clearly labelled. 



This textbook which gives such a detailed and wide picture of the develop- 

 ment of the chick, will be received with great sympathy by all embryologists, 

 and offers a rich material for study to the beginning as well as to the more 



