CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOK REVIEWS 
Cytology 
A book on cytology from the botanical standpoint has long been needed, 
and consequently botanists will welcome the vigorous, suggestive presenta- 
tion of the subject by SHarp.t| The zoological side is also presented, so that 
everywhere the differences and similarities in plant and animal cells are kept 
before the reader. 
This is the first time that such a comprehensive treatment of the whole 
subject of cytology has been attempted by a botanist. The chapter headings, 
nae indicate the scope of the work, are as follows: Historical sketch; Pre- 
minary description of the cell; Protoplasm; The nucleus; The centrosome and 
een Plastids and clicmleacaies: Metaplasm, polarity; Somatic 
mitosis and chromosome individuality; The achromatic figure, cytokinesis, and 
organs in sescaye Mendelism and mutation; Sex; age; Weissmanism 
and other theories. Any discussion or comment on details would require such 
an undue amount of space, that reference will only be made to the book itself. 
The illustrations are numerous and exceptionally well drawn. Accompa- 
nying the descriptions of vegetative mitosis, reduction of chromosomes, and 
the réle of the nucleus in heredi ty are numerous diagrams which will be appreci- 
ated both by students and investigators. The large number of new figures 
and diagrams is refreshing, and, as one turns the pages, he sees at a glance 
that the book owes little to shears and paste. Each subject is followed by a 
very full bibliography arranged alphabetically. The citations are unusually 
complete. The index is also commendable, with reference to res in full 
faced type and with words which might be unfamiliar to some botanists or 
zoologists followed by an explanatory word in parenthesis, as Eloesis (palm), 
Ectocar pus (brown alga), Enchenopa (bug), etc. 
SHARP’s own contributions in the field of cytology, his skill as a practical 
technician and artist, as well as his experience in teaching the subject have 
fitted him for the production of this book, which will be indispensable to 
botanists, and should be of great value to those zoologists who feel the need 
of an authoritative presentation of the botanical side of cytology.— 
C. J. CHAMBERLAIN 
*SHarp, L. W., An introduction to cytology. 8vo. pp. xiiit452. New York: 
McGraw Hill Book Co. 1921. $4. 
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