63 



tains many stain formulae, both the basic types and their newer 

 derivatives. Eight staining charts are given, presenting the various 

 steps with such clarity that they will be welcomed by both the 

 beginner and veteran microtechnician. 



The balance of Part 1 is concerned with the "much-maligned 

 celloidin method," sectioning of unembedded tissues (which in- 

 cludes microchemical tests for those interested in chemical analysis 

 of their sections), the preparation of w^iole mounts, and a chapter 

 on the criteria of successful processing. 



Part II is closely linked with Part I but applies the general 

 rules with variations to the specific plants and plant parts and 

 assignments requiring greater skill. A chapter on vegetative organs 

 of vascular plants deals with meristem, stem, root and leaf tech- 

 nique. In a paragraph on root tips, the author states that the peak 

 of mitotic activity for the onion is from 1 :00-2 :00 p.m. and from 

 11 :C)0 p.m.-midnight, although many cytologists dispute this peri- 

 odicity theory. 



A chapter each is devoted to Thallophyta and Bryophyta fol- 

 lowed by two chapters on the microtechnique of reproductive struc- 

 tures of Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta. The last two chapters 

 of the book deal with the use of the microscope and photomicrog- 

 raphy, a timely topic which should appeal to many readers. 



The book is clearly and concisely written, and fully explicit 



without wordiness making it a credit to both author and publisher. 



There is an abundance of excellent diagrams and photographs, 



indispensable assets to a book on microtechnique. 



„ TT Dorothy LoNGACRE 



FoRDHAM University. 



Plant Microtechnique. Donald A. Johansen. Pp. 523. McGraw-Hill Book 

 Co. 1940. $4.50. 



In "Plant Microtechnique," Donald Johansen has prepared an 

 admirably organized and comprehensive text and manual on gen- 

 eral and special methods in plant histology and cytolog}^ The first 

 part, 218 pages, deals in a general way with procedures, reagents, 

 stains, etc. The remaining 300 pages take up in sequence "special 

 methods for various phyla," in which the whole plant kingdom, from 

 bacteria to flowering plants, is dealt with. That the book will prove 

 an indispensable reference and class text for almost all botanists 



