embryology. Also included are a few studies on new and interesting animal groups, and 

 some new and different approaches, to give some sample of the less conventional, 

 more ground-breaking aspects in the field. 



In both books an explicit attempt was made to present the subject at a level which 

 allows readers not familiar with the field to follow the discussion. The editor provides the 

 necessary background in an introductory chapter dealing with methodological and theo- 

 retical aspects. Moreover, his introductions to the various sections bring continuity to the 

 two volumes. Most of the work presented deals with avian and mammalian embryos, but 

 in vol. 1 one paper (Berrill) deals with crustaceans, while in vol. 2 one paper (Szekely) is 

 devoted entirely to amphibians and another (Hughes) gives much attention to them. 



Vol. 1 has the following sections: Embryonic motility and its neural correlates 

 (chapters by Hamburger, Provine, Foelix and Oppenheim, and Berrill); Hatching: hor- 

 monal, physiological, and behavioral aspects (chapters by Oppenheim and by Corner, 

 Bakhuis, and van Wingerden); Sensory processes: embryonic behavior in birds (chapters 

 by Vince and by Impekoven and Gold). In vol. 2 the sections are as follows: Synapto- 

 genesis and the problem of neuronal specificity: structural and functional aspects (chap- 

 ters by Berry, Crain, Szekely, and Jacobson); Fetal brain function: sensory and motor 

 aspects (chapters by Meyerson and Persson and by Bergstrom); Metamorphosis and birth: 

 hormonal and physiological aspects (chapters by Hughes and Sedlacek). 



The volumes are well produced and well illustrated. 



78. 



J.LOBUE and A.S.GORDON, eds. 1973. HUMORAL CONTROL OF GROWTH AND 



DIFFERENTIATION. 



Academic Press, New York, etc. 2 vols. 



Vol. I Vertebrate regulatory factors. XVI,412 pp., 78 figs., 21 tabs., author and subject 



indexes. $ 31.50, £ 15.10 



Vol.11 Nonvertebrate neuroendocrinology and aging. XIV,319pp., 33 figs., 7 tabs., 



author and subject indexes. £ 1 1.50 



In recent years much advance has been made in the field covered by the title of this 

 multi-author treatise. In both volumes special emphasis is placed on those chemical 

 messengers (stimulators and inhibitors) which have received relatively little attention in 

 standard endocrinology books. The books are written by a large team of specialists, most 

 of them Americans. All chapters are critical reviews, and most have references up till 

 1971 and occasionally later. The volumes are packed with information. Both have a 

 general summary provided by the editors, which facilitates selective reading. 



In vol. I there are three major sections. The first is taken up by a review of chalone 

 control systems by Bullough. The section on blood cell formation and release is the most 

 complete one and consists of no less than nine chapters. Finally, the section on humoral 

 control of organ and tissue growth deals consecutively with nerve growth factor, liver 

 regeneration, renal growth factor, skeletal growth and regeneration, and trauma and 

 tumour growth (the "wound hormone" concept). 



Vol. II is more varied and selective in content. The first section devotes attention to 

 insect diapause, Hydra development, sponge aggregation, and chemical messengers in 

 cellular slime moulds. Then follow two chapters on very divergent plant systems, one on 

 the control of sexuality in algae (including Volvox), and one on root growth. The chapter 

 on animal allomones and pheromones seems a little out of place. The next chapter deals 

 with hormones and neurogenesis in mammals, and would therefore have been placed 

 more properly in vol. I. The volume is concluded by a long and interesting chapter on 

 ageing, which features discussions of the many theories, humoral and non-humoral, that 

 have been advanced to explain this "process". 



199 



