Chapters 2, 3, and 5 are of the most immediate appeal to biologists. Whereas the first 

 two arc concerned with development from the relatively simple to the complex, the last 

 focusses primarily on evolution and stresses that complex systems tend to evolve into 

 hierarchies by a process of self-simplification. The postscript among other things elabo- 

 rates the view that the relation between the structural and descriptive levels (between 

 matter or event, and symbol) is the central problem for a hierarchy theory of the future. 

 This discussion has pronounced philosophical aspects. 



PLANT DEVELOPMENT (general) (see also 5,64,78) 

 Textbooks 



D.HESS. 1972. PFLANZENPHYSIOLOGIE, Molekulare und biochemisch-physiologische 

 Grundlagen von Stoffwechsel und Entwicklung, 2nd edit. 



Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. Uni-Taschenbucher 15. 373 pp., 248 figs., 1 1 tabs., subject 

 index. DM 19.80 (paper) 



Although the first edition of this concise textbook appeared already in 1970 and the 

 present edition in 1972, we consider it important enough to provide a brief characteriza- 

 tion. The author has earlier written a book on biochemical genetics. The book presents an 

 integrated, modern treatment of the general and developmental physiology of higher 

 plants, each of which occupies about half of the space available. The text reads very 

 easily. 



The first ten chapters are devoted to general physiology and start from the hetero- 

 catalytic function of DNA. The remaining nine chapters deal with all major aspects of 

 development, again with DNA replication as the connecting thread. There are separate 

 chapters on, among other things, growth by cell division, differential gene activity, gene 

 regulation, and polarity and unequal cell division. The consideration of the more strictly 

 metabolic aspects of development, with cross references to the first part of the book, 

 serves the author's integrative approach very well. 



The book is very well illustrated and has a good reading list. 



9. 



J.L.RIOPEL. 1973. EXPERIMENTS IN DEVELOPMENTAL BOTANY 



Brown, Dubuque, Iowa. VIII, 134 pp., 57 figs., 24 tabs. $ 3.95 (spiral bound) 



Contents: 1. Organization of higher plants; 2. Plant cell structure; 3. Plant nutrition: 

 growth of whole plants; 4. Plant nutrition: growth of organs; 5. Plant nutrition: 

 growth of cells; 6. Cell differentiation: morphological expression; 7. Cell differentia- 

 tion: experimental systems; 8. The flower: beginning of the cycle; 9. The embryo; 

 10. Seed germination; 1 1. Primary meristem; 12. Root structure and development; 

 13. Stem structure and development; 14. Secondary growth 



This laboratory manual has grown out of the experience gained in actual one-semester 

 courses. It makes a good impression, but of course its usefullness for a particular course 

 can only be tested in practice. Special features are questions for discussion, lists of further 

 reading, and the inclusion of facsimile reproductions of half a dozen research papers 

 (authors: Burns & Ingle, Kuehnert, Lescure, Sobota & Partanen, Steeves, Wardlaw). Each 

 exercise requires one to three sessions of 3-4 hours each, and each has a short theoretical 

 introduction. 



The manual is illustrated with good line drawings and photographs. An appendix lists 

 practical comments and guidelines, as well as procedures for handling living material and 

 sources of equipment, supplies and material. The book is concluded by a glossary. 



172 



