An introductory Perspective deals with morphogenetic principles, phylogeny, and 

 vertebrate reproductive systems (64 pp.). Of the two almost equally long main parts, 

 Early developmental processes and Organogenesis of vertebrate systems, the latter is more 

 successful than the former. Particularly in the sections on the blastula and germ layer 

 formation the text is often based on outdated information and contains several inaccura- 

 cies. The figures of fate maps are over-schematised and in part highly speculative. The 

 attempt to bring all submammalian classes to a common denominator is commendable 

 but no longer acceptable in this form, particularly as regards the early avian embryo. 

 Fig. 6-15 is cryptic and fig. 6-18 decidedly wrong. 



The book is produced in a pleasing format and the illustrations (both drawings and 

 photographs) are on the whole quite good. All chapters have reading lists containing both 

 older and fairly recent Uterature. 



31. 



S. WISCHNITZER. 1975. ATLAS AND LABORATORY GUIDE FOR VERTEBRATE 



EMBRYOLOGY 



McGraw-Hill, New York, etc. XIV, 157 pp., 129 figs., 5 tabs., index of terms. DM 22.30 

 (paper) 



This manual is intended to help instructors to do justice to both the descriptive and 

 the experimental aspects of vertebrate development within a hmited time period. The 

 treatment has therefore been strongly condensed and will have to be supplemented by 

 oral instruction or reading. This reviewer feels that in some respects the condensation has 

 gone too far (for instance: no mention of embryonic induction or primitive streak 

 regression). 



The descriptive part consists of five exercises on the frog (gametogenesis till hatching), 

 six on the chick (gametogenesis till 72 hrs.), and three on the pig (gametogenesis till 

 6 mm., and 10 mm.). Three experimental exercises follow: one on induced ovulation and 

 fertihsation in the frog, one on chick embryos in finger bowls or plastic bags, and one on 

 mouse embryos (normal development and vitamin A teratogenesis). 



The two and three-dimensional Une drawings are schematic but very successful. Each 

 exercise has a reading list consisting of classical and more recent primary publications; no 

 books are listed. 



Monographs 



32. 



E. M. DEUCHAR. 1975. XENOPUS: THE SOUTH AFRICAN CLAWED FROG 



Wiley, London, etc. A Wiley - Inters'cience Publication. X, 246 pp., 104 figs., 6 tabs., 



subject index. £ 10.25 



Contents: l.The discovery of Xenopus in its natural habitats; 2. The anatomy of 

 Xenopus; 3. Physiological studies on Xenopus; 4. Gametogenesis, fertilization and the 

 initiation of embryonic development; 5. Development of the embryo and larva of 

 Xenopus laevis; 6. Observations on cleavage and blastula stages; 7. The mechanisms of 

 gastrulation and neurulation; 8. Interactions between tissues in the early embryo; 

 9. Organogenesis in Xenopus; 10. The control of later events in development; 

 1 1 . Future possibilities in research on Xenopus 



This is a useful survey of many features of a widely used experimental animal by an 

 author who has been familiar with it for many years. Its extensive bibliography makes it 

 particularly suitable as a reference work. However, in some areas (particularly biochemis- 

 try) the material has not been sifted very critically. Moreover, in some places the author 

 seems to have written from memory without re-checking her data, which has resulted in a 

 number of mistakes and unclarities. 



The table of contents speaks for itself. The treatment is of course selective and 

 different readers will notice different gaps; for instance, I would have liked more 

 information on the mutants described by the Geneva group. 



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