15 



The book is illustrated with graphs and diagrams. Each chapter has its own 

 brief bibliography, conveniently arranged by sub-headings. The book is con- 

 cluded by a subject index. 



9 BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF AMPHIBIAN DEVELOPMENT 



1966 



by E. M. Deuchar Methuen & Co. Ltd. 



Methuen's Monographs on London 



Biological Subjects Price: 30s. 

 215 pp., 100 figs. 



It is now six years since the publication of Brachet's "The Biochemistry of 

 Development". The author of the present monograph, who has taken an active 

 share in the recent development of amphibian chemical embryology, has set 

 out to compile a small and selective critical account of the recent advances in 

 this field. The coverage is restricted largely to amphibians, although references 

 to work on avian embryos have been included whenever necessary. 



The author writes from the point of view of the embryologist whose interest 

 is in the biochemical basis of the development of structure in the embryo as an 

 integrated whole. Consequently, the classical findings of experimental em- 

 bryology are considered only with regard to their possible biochemical inter- 

 pretations. One of the aims of the book is to interest biochemists in the 

 problems of morphological development. The many uncertainties and problems 

 that still require investigation are stressed throughout the book. 



After a brief introductory chapter the book starts with an outline of 

 amphibian embryonic and postembryonic development from a morphological 

 point of view. The next 7 chapters then discuss biochemical aspects of develop- 

 ment in successive periods, starting with oogenesis and ending with metamor- 

 phosis and regeneration. The last chapter is a general survey and discusses 

 time curves for various physiological and biochemical processes, patterns of 

 protein synthesis, and yolk utilization throughout development. A brief con- 

 cluding section considers the biochemical basis of differentiation in general 

 terms. 



The whole subject of metabolic inhibitors and competitive inhibition of 

 metabolism by structural analogues has purposely been omitted from the book, 

 because of the difficulties of interpretation attendant upon such work. 



The large majority of the references in the 21 -page bibliography date from 

 the last ten years. The book is illustrated with many graphs, clear diagrams 

 and drawings, and a number of good photomicrographs. It is concluded by a 

 subject index. 



Unfortunately the important work of Vahs (1962) on the parallel cytochemical changes in the 

 inductor and in the reacting ectoderm, accompanying heterogeneous induction in urodeles, is not 

 discussed. 



