1 2 CELLULAR CONTINUITY AND DEVELOPMENT 



1967 

 by R. E. Alston Scott. Foresman & Cy. 



Scott, Foresman Series in Under- Glenview, 111. 



graduate Biology, Vol. IV 

 214 pp.. 98 figs., 2 tbs. 

 ( paper-bound ) 



This book forms part of a series of 9 small volumes which deal with selected 

 fundamental topics in present-day biology in a logical sequence, starting with 

 macromolecular form and function and ending with the dynamics and evolution 

 of populations. The present volume occupies a position in between "nuclear 

 control of cellular activities" and "physiological regulation". 



The books are written primarily for undergraduate students. Their aim is to 

 discuss recent advances in the fields concerned, while at the same time 

 providing enough background for the student to understand these recent 

 developments. The series editor (S. Matthews) states in his foreword that 

 each volume can be used alone; as far as the present volume is concerned, 

 however, the reviewer doubts whether all of it is understandable to the begin- 

 ning student without reference to some of the earlier volumes in the series. 



This book is unusual in that it covers material that is seldom treated together 

 in small books of this kind. Apart from development proper (part III), it deals 

 extensively with chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis, and development of reproduc- 

 tive cells (part I), and with the genetic and evolutionary implications of 

 sexuality, with sex determination, and with selected examples of life cycles 

 in animals and plants (part II). The whole book has a pronounced genetic 

 slant, which lends unity to the treatment of such diverse topics. 



Part III (Morphogenesis - Mechanisms of differentiation, 53 pp.) starts with 

 a brief exposition of the basic facts of embryology, followed by a discussion 

 of primary induction and nuclear transplantation. The next chapter deals with 

 gene activation and development, and has sections on chromosome puffing, 

 lampbrush chromosomes, developmental canahzation, cell movements in mor- 

 phogenesis, and the role of histones in the regulation of gene activity. The last 

 chapter deals briefly with the role of hormones in insect development. 



The whole text is interspersed with numerous quotations from both older 

 and more recent authors, which do much to clarify important concepts. The 

 book is profusely illustrated with well-chosen figures, among them a large 

 number of photographs and electron micrographs. It is concluded by a brief 

 hst of selected readings and a rather too condensed alphabetical index. 



13 ELEMENTS D'EMBRYOLOGIE CAUSALE 



1967 



by J. Fautrez Gauthier-Villars 



308 pp., 56 figs. Paris 



(paper-bound) Price: 32 F. 



This book was written primarily for the use of students of medicine and 

 biology. Its aim is to show that it is possible to provide a rather detailed picture 

 of the science of experimental embryology to those who have no more than 

 basic knowledge of general biology, cytology, and descriptive embryology. The 

 treatment of the subject is selective, and emphasis is placed on principles rather 

 than facts. For the early stages examples are drawn primarily from the marine 

 Invertebrates, while the later stages are mainly illustrated with examples from 

 the various Vertebrate Classes. 



The book is written in a clear and simple style; it shows experimental 

 embryology as an actively growing science, although the more recent and more 

 sophisticated biochemical studies are omitted. The subject is viewed essentially 



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