11 



2. DEVELOPMENT - SELECTED TOPICS 



1964 



by L. J. Barth Addison-Wesley Publishing Cy. 



"Principles of Biology" Series Reading (Mass.) - Palo Alto - London 



121 pp., 28 figs.. 3 tbs. 

 (paper-bound) 



This text was originally intended for a one-semester course in "biological 

 concepts", but it can also be used as supplementary reading for undergraduate 

 courses in zoology, embryology, or genetics. The underlying idea for the book 

 was to provide a detailed study of experiments which have been basic to the 

 development of concepts in a specific area of biology, in this case "nucleo- 

 cytoplasmic interactions in development". The book is written in a deliberately 

 chronological style, with the first experiments of W. Roux and the writings of 

 A. Weismann as the starting point. The discussion is largely based on experi- 

 ments performed with amphibian eggs and embryos. 



After three brief introductory chapters there follow seven chapters which 

 discuss consecutively: tracking the germ cells; nuclear equivalence versus 

 nuclear differentiation; quantity of nuclear materials as a factor in develop- 

 ment; the problem of nuclear differentiation; hybrid embryos and development; 

 nucleo-cytoplasmic interactions in hybrid embryos; and finally molecular 

 genetics and the embryo. 



The book is adequately illustrated with line drawings and some photographs. 

 There is a list of 74 selected references and a short index. 



It is unfortunate that the title of the book does not reflect the specific topic (nucleo- 

 cytoplasmic interactions) around which the discussion centres. 



3. REPRODUCTION IN THE INSECTS 



1965 

 by K. G. Davey Oliver & Boyd 



"University Reviews in Biology" Series Edinburgh - London 



106 pp., 21 figs. Price: 12s. 6d. 



(paper-bound) 



This short book was written primarily for students. It is useful for a quick 

 orientation in the field of insect reproduction. The treatment is of course highly 

 selective. Emphasis is placed on functional and physiological aspects through- 

 out. 



Topics of special interest to embryologists, such as oogenesis, fertilization, 

 parthenogenesis, viviparity, and alternation of generations, are each alotted a 

 few pages. Polyembryony is treated only very briefly. 



The book is illustrated with simple drawings. It has a bibliography of 136 

 titles and a very brief subject index. 



A more detailed subject index would have increased the usefulness of the book. 



