17 



has no general currency among animal embryologists, and is not often found 

 in embryological texts. Particularly experimental morphologists may use it with 

 profit. 



The second edition has been extensively revised. It is nearly 100 pages 

 longer than the first, the number of illustrations has been augmented by about 

 one third, and the number of literature references increased by nearly one half 

 to more than 750. Three new lectures were added, two dealing with regener- 

 ative processes (in invertebrates only), and one with the relationship between 

 developmental physiology and evolution. Asexual reproduction in lower 

 animals and vertebrate regeneration are not considered. The production of the 

 book is excellent. 



12. CHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FERTILIZATION 



1965 



by A. Monroy Holt, Rinehart & Winston 



"Biology Studies" Series New York etc. 



160 pp., 43 figs., 7 tbs. Price: $ 4.50 



The present monograph complements that by C. R. Austin (see review no. 7 

 above). Its scope is more selective, since it concentrates mainly on the eggs 

 of marine invertebrates. On the other hand, the treatment of the physiological, 

 and more particularly the biochemical aspects of fertilization is much more 

 extensive and penetrating. 



After a brief introductory chapter the five main chapters of the book deal 

 with the following subjects: The interaction between eggs and spermatozoa 

 (20 pages); The penetration of the spermatozoon (22 pages); The cell mem- 

 brane: its structural and physiological changes at fertilization (25 pages); 

 Surface changes, activation of the egg, and formation of the zygote nucleus 

 (8 pages); The metabolic study of fertilization (41 pages). 



For non-specialists in the field of fertilization the last-mentioned chapter, 

 which also contains a brief section on the physiology of egg maturation, is 

 perhaps the most interesting one, since it deals with the very first beginnings 

 of embryonic development in the strict sense. As the author points out in his 

 concluding remarks, the fact that release of an inhibition of the egg nucleus 

 is involved may have important implications for the problem of gene activation 

 in development. A related point is the unknown function of cytoplasmic DNA 

 in the egg. 



The book is well-printed and illustrated with graphs, drawings, and photo- 

 graphs. The latter are not printed on glossy paper, but are nevertheless 

 sufficiently clear for the purposes of the book. The bibliography covers 26 

 pages; nearly half of the literature cited dates from the period which has passed 

 since the publication of Rothschild's monograph on fertilization in 1956. The 

 book is concluded by a subject index. 



