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A history of embryology
some chapters the original (1971) artwork has been used; admittedly the principles governing cell design etc. have not changed but few pieces of apparatus are today designed around the rubber bung, or even the upmarket neoprene stopper! The chapters on voltammetry at stationary electrodes and on controlled potential electrolysis/ coulometry are not very helpful for the beginner, class of ‘86. Mechanistic discussion is well out of date, as are the ‘hints’ on practical aspects. The recent references which have been added (typically up to 1982183) often do not displace redundant material and an impression of cosmetic revision is given. One should not read now that ‘. polarography is almost always used to guide the preliminary selection of conditions for controlled potential electrosynthesis.’ It is not, and, furthermore, polarography has become obsolete as a method for determining mechanism. It remains important in analytical chemistry, but this is only briefly dealt with in the chapter on polarography. In summary, the volume is disappointing and we must hope that the next revision of what has been a most valuable series is more thorough. J. H. P. Utley
Amazonia. Edited by Ghillean T. Prance and Thomas E. Lovejoy. Pp. 442. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1986. $29.00.
From the first faltering steps of early European exploration to the present-day development activities of technological man, Amazonia has posed the classic Faustian Riddle in the conflict between potential permanent returns or immediate, if ephemeral, gains. This book illustrates that the greatest treasure to be found in the rich fragility of Amazonia is the most obvious. Of the vast biological array of living organisms, some are as yet unidentified; many contribute important products to our daily lives; all demand sustained international concern for their survival. Twenty-two authoritative chapters span the 3 sections of this volume; The Physical Setting, The Biology, and The Human Impact. Several nationalities are represented among the authors, each is a specialist working in the region. Refreshingly, each provides not only an indepth analysis of the subject - often impressively referenced - but also some reflection on the interaction of the specialism within the wider context of Amazonian science and anthropology. The volume represents a unique reference source for the specialist, and a fascinating insight into the region for the generalist. It deserves a place on the bookshelves of both, and a prominent position in the library of all those concerned with resource management in the humid tropics. G. K. Elliott
Genetic Manipulation of Streptomyces. A Laboratory Manual. By D. A. Hopwood et al. Pp. 356. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, and originally The John lnnes Foundation, Norwich. 1985. $25.00.
are covered in this book, with most emphasis on the function and activity of initiation factors and on conditions that regulate the availability of messenger RNA molecules for translation. Most, but not all, the articles describe work with mammalian cells, including effects on translation of heat shock, viral infection, interferon, and changes in nutritional supply.
This is an excellent book and is highly recommended for any laboratory working with Streptomyces. It provides a clear, V. M. Pain. detailed and comprehensive description of over 100 experimental procedures used for the genetic manipulation of this important A Textbook of Human Biology, 3rd Ed. bacterial genus and is presented in a way By John K. Inglis. Pp. 422. Pergamon that will smooth the passage of the many Press, Oxford. 7986. Hardback f 19.95 newcomers to this field of research. As a ($29.00), Nexicover f12.50 ($18.75). source of experiments for undergraduate This book is a useful introductory text to laboratory classes it has considerable poten- human biology: topics introduced include tial. The manual is based on a successful evolution, cell chemistry, nutrition, anaEMBO laboratory course run by the John tomy and physiology, human genetics (an Innes Institute and brings together the excellent chapter), and the health and technical know-how of 10 experts, mostly disease of man. The book has apparently been significantly changed since the last from that Institute. Divided into eight chapters, the book edition. starts with the preparation of organisms and About three-quarters of the book discusphages and a description of in vivo genetic ses normal anatomy and physiology using a methods. The remaining six chapters cover traditional systems-orientated approach; eg. the in vitro genetic procedures of DNA respiratory system, nervous system, etc. The preparation, transformation, and transfec- later part of the book, which I feel is the tion; DNA manipulation; cloning; more valuable and unusual part, discusses radiolabelled DNA techniques; and RNA the causes of ill-health, methods of preventmethodology. For each technique a step-by- ing and treating disease, and a chapter on step experimental protocol is provided, birth and growth. The final chapter gives together with a list of materials and suggestions for practical work. The book is equipment and associated technical notes. well illustrated but unfortunately no colour The manual is completed by an extensive is used. appendix listing media, strains, maps, and The level of information in the book is cloning vectors, together with about 100 fairly basic. The style of writing also makes references and a comprehensive index. the book more suitable for younger (ie. While most of the methods describe those school rather than college) students: the used for S. coelicolor and S. lividans they author uses ‘we’ widely in the text and at should be adaptable to other species. times verges on being prescriptive, when D. A. Ritchie discussing personal hygiene for instance. My other reservation is that at times the Translational Control. Edited by Michael information is not as up to date as one B. Mathews. Pp. 194. Cold Spring Harbor would hope for in a 1986 edition; for Laboratory, New York. 1986. Paperback instance, in the discussion on virally-caused $27.00. disease, there is no mention of AIDS. This book comprises 30 short articles by Similarly, the author mentions recording ECGs with a physiograph (!) and classifies participants at a Cold Spring Harbor diabetes as juvenile and maturity onset conference on the translational control of protein synthesis, held in November 1985. which are terms not widely used now. Rosamund Herbert The commendably rapid publication ensures the book’s value in informing workers in the Edited by T. J. field of the latest developments. Most of the A History of Embryology. articles are written clearly, with good Horder, J. A. Witkowski and C. C. Wylie. introductory and summary paragraphs. Pp. 477. Cambridge University Press. 7986. f 60.00 ($99.50) There is an introductory chapter, outlining present knowledge of the mechanisms of At the meeting of the British Society for translation and the major types of control. Developmental Biology at Nottingham in A substantial portion of the book should be April 1983 papers were presented on informative to teachers, students, and re- historical aspects of embryology. This search workers in other areas of biochemis- volume contains the revised version of the try who already have a good understanding papers and it will certainly prove to be a of the mechanism of protein synthesis in most valuable addition to the rather sparse eukaryotic cells and wish to up-date their literature on the history of embryology. J. Needham, who in the 1930s helped to knowledge. Some translational control mechanisms develop chemical embryology and published determine the overall amount of protein a History of Embryology (1934), has synthesized, whilst others are selective, appropriately been asked to write the regulating the synthesis of some proteins Preface. From this it appears it was relative to others. Both types of regulation unfortunately not possible to include Jane
55
Oppenheimer’s contribution. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 contains papers dealing with the period 1880-1940 which constitute the ‘classical’ period of experimental embryology (p. x). The set of papers in Part 2 ‘abandons any attempt at historical sequence as such and addresses the present situation of the subject as much as the post-war period overall’ (p. xi). The references are from the very interesting Introduction by T. J. Horder. Among other things, he points out that the history of embryology ‘iaises the question of the adequacy of current methodology for the solution of the more complex of biological problems’ (p. xv). Surprisingly, he dismisses the question ‘What is Life’ as one of the pseudo-questions (p. xvi). What then is the study of biology (including embryology) about, if it is not about attempting to provide answers to it, however incomplete and partial. It may be pointed out Purkinje (Purkyne) can be thought of as being part of experimental embryology in Germany but he is not a German embryologist (p. 180). There are, unfortunately, quite a few misprints, especially regarding German names or terms. M. Teich. The History of N. V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken. Vol. 1. The Origin of the Dutch Incandescent Lamp Industry. By A. Heerding. Pp. 343. Cambridge University Press. 1986. f30.00 ($47.50).
The present volume is the first of a projected three-volume history of the N V Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken, an important multi-national company founded in Eindhoven in 1891 by Gerard and Frederik Philips. It is, however, much more than a recital of the history of an electrical lamp factory, Mr Heerding has delineated the origins of arc lamp and incandescent filament lamps in Europe and the United States, and traces the establishment of the electrical industry in Europe to 1890. Against this background are traced the economic, social, and technical factors influencing the development of the electrical industry in the Netherlands. Of particular interest is the account of the interplay of the economic and political factors which influenced the grant of the first electricity concession in Amsterdam in September 1890. The Philips family bad developed a remarkable commercial, financial, and entrepreneural expertise which,
56
allied with Gerard Philips technical training and experience, led to a sound inception of the company and set the foundations for its later success. Competently translated from the Dutch by Derek S. Jordan, the history is supported by judiciously chosen illustrations and statistical material. Each chapter can be read as an independent entity which will enhance the value of the volume as a reference work about the early electrical industry.
appearance, without apparent ancestry, of clockwork in the West. Since that time some opinions on matters of detail have altered, but by and large their thesis still standsunassailed. With its additional Foreword by Joseph Needham and a long scholarly supplement by John Combridge, whose reconstructions of Sun Sung’s escapement have clarified many obscurities in the original Chinese texts, this elegant edition is doubly welcome, for the first has long been out of print. Colin Ronan
E. D. P. Symons.
TheHallofHeavenlyRecords.Korean Astronomical InstrumentsandClocks 1380-1780. ByJosephNeedham, Lu Gwei-Djen, John H. Combridge, andJohn S. Major. Pp. 201. Cambridge University Press, 1986. f25.00 ($44.50) Heavenly Clockvvork TheGreat AstronomicalClocksofMedievalChina. ByJoseph Needham, Wang Lingand DerekJ. De Solla Price. Pp. 266. Cambridge University Press, 1986. f35.00 ($60.00) The Hall of Heavenly Records, makes abundantly evident why Joseph Needham has called his unique collection the East Asian History of Science Library; the Needham Research Institute which housesit clearlycasts its net wider than China, to embrace the history of science and technology of the entire East Asian culture area. This important and beautifully printed study of Korean astronomical instruments is one of the fruits of this broad perspective, showing not only the prodigious influence of Chinese intellectual attainment, but also the fact that the Koreans themselves made their own contributions to mediaeval science.Essentially it describes in considerable detail the instruments of the Korean Royal Observatory in the 15th century, as well as giving details of an 18th century Korean astronomical screen. However, the authors have also provided an appropriate historical background, both political and astronomical, against which to set their descriptions, and so have given a wide readership a valuable contribution to the history of East Asian Science. By 1960, when Joseph Needham, Wang Ling, and Derek Price had completed their research on Chinese clockwork, they published the first editionof Heavenly Clockwork. At one blow they were able to demonstrate the source of the clock escapement - that basic element of all mechanical timekeepers. Its origin in China clearly indicated that transmission later gave rise to the sudden
FolkMedicine: theArtandtheScience. Edited b y Richard P. Steiner. Pp. vii + 224. American ChemicalSociety, Washington, DC. 7986.Cloth$22.95(USAandCanada), $27.95elsewhere. Paperback$l2.95(USA andCanada),$l5.95elsewhere.
The many diverse civilisations throughout the world have all made use of the plant kingdom for medicinal purposes. Initially, plant selection was made on a rational basis but as the different societies developed and became based on different philosophies, the choice of plant material became more irrational. The influence of theseideologies may be seenin the many folk medicine systems existing today. Seven of these systems are described by experts in each system in the first half of the book. This is the so-called ‘Art’. They all give some evidence for the effectiveness of certain plants for treating various diseases. Of course, the reasons for their successwas not known and it was not until the ‘therapeutic revolution’ fifty years ago that any serious study was made of the effect of drugs on animal tissues. This pharmacological study is now givingplace to astudy of the effectsofdrugson the cell biochemistry - a development made possible by the development of extremely sensitive and specific assay procedures. As well asfacilitating a more rational appioach to drug design it has also provided explanations for the effectiveness of niany plants used in folk medicine - after all, plants are a veritable reservoir of chemical substances. The last seven chapters of the book provide a link between this modern pharmacological biochemistry and some old folk medicine remedies. ThisistheScience. All thechaptersinthe book should be of great interest to pharmacognosists, phytochemists, pharmacologists, ethnopharmacologists, phytotherapeutists, and biochemists. At last, the relevance of the plant kingdom in the treatment of disease is being understood and appreciated. E. J. Shellard
Amazonia. Edited by Ghillean T. Prance and Thomas E. Lovejoy. Pp. 442. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1986. $29.00.
From the first faltering steps of early European exploration to the present-day development activities of technological man, Amazonia has posed the classic Faustian Riddle in the conflict between potential permanent returns or immediate, if ephemeral, gains. This book illustrates that the greatest treasure to be found in the rich fragility of Amazonia is the most obvious. Of the vast biological array of living organisms, some are as yet unidentified; many contribute important products to our daily lives; all demand sustained international concern for their survival. Twenty-two authoritative chapters span the 3 sections of this volume; The Physical Setting, The Biology, and The Human Impact. Several nationalities are represented among the authors, each is a specialist working in the region. Refreshingly, each provides not only an indepth analysis of the subject - often impressively referenced - but also some reflection on the interaction of the specialism within the wider context of Amazonian science and anthropology. The volume represents a unique reference source for the specialist, and a fascinating insight into the region for the generalist. It deserves a place on the bookshelves of both, and a prominent position in the library of all those concerned with resource management in the humid tropics. G. K. Elliott
Genetic Manipulation of Streptomyces. A Laboratory Manual. By D. A. Hopwood et al. Pp. 356. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, and originally The John lnnes Foundation, Norwich. 1985. $25.00.
are covered in this book, with most emphasis on the function and activity of initiation factors and on conditions that regulate the availability of messenger RNA molecules for translation. Most, but not all, the articles describe work with mammalian cells, including effects on translation of heat shock, viral infection, interferon, and changes in nutritional supply.
This is an excellent book and is highly recommended for any laboratory working with Streptomyces. It provides a clear, V. M. Pain. detailed and comprehensive description of over 100 experimental procedures used for the genetic manipulation of this important A Textbook of Human Biology, 3rd Ed. bacterial genus and is presented in a way By John K. Inglis. Pp. 422. Pergamon that will smooth the passage of the many Press, Oxford. 7986. Hardback f 19.95 newcomers to this field of research. As a ($29.00), Nexicover f12.50 ($18.75). source of experiments for undergraduate This book is a useful introductory text to laboratory classes it has considerable poten- human biology: topics introduced include tial. The manual is based on a successful evolution, cell chemistry, nutrition, anaEMBO laboratory course run by the John tomy and physiology, human genetics (an Innes Institute and brings together the excellent chapter), and the health and technical know-how of 10 experts, mostly disease of man. The book has apparently been significantly changed since the last from that Institute. Divided into eight chapters, the book edition. starts with the preparation of organisms and About three-quarters of the book discusphages and a description of in vivo genetic ses normal anatomy and physiology using a methods. The remaining six chapters cover traditional systems-orientated approach; eg. the in vitro genetic procedures of DNA respiratory system, nervous system, etc. The preparation, transformation, and transfec- later part of the book, which I feel is the tion; DNA manipulation; cloning; more valuable and unusual part, discusses radiolabelled DNA techniques; and RNA the causes of ill-health, methods of preventmethodology. For each technique a step-by- ing and treating disease, and a chapter on step experimental protocol is provided, birth and growth. The final chapter gives together with a list of materials and suggestions for practical work. The book is equipment and associated technical notes. well illustrated but unfortunately no colour The manual is completed by an extensive is used. appendix listing media, strains, maps, and The level of information in the book is cloning vectors, together with about 100 fairly basic. The style of writing also makes references and a comprehensive index. the book more suitable for younger (ie. While most of the methods describe those school rather than college) students: the used for S. coelicolor and S. lividans they author uses ‘we’ widely in the text and at should be adaptable to other species. times verges on being prescriptive, when D. A. Ritchie discussing personal hygiene for instance. My other reservation is that at times the Translational Control. Edited by Michael information is not as up to date as one B. Mathews. Pp. 194. Cold Spring Harbor would hope for in a 1986 edition; for Laboratory, New York. 1986. Paperback instance, in the discussion on virally-caused $27.00. disease, there is no mention of AIDS. This book comprises 30 short articles by Similarly, the author mentions recording ECGs with a physiograph (!) and classifies participants at a Cold Spring Harbor diabetes as juvenile and maturity onset conference on the translational control of protein synthesis, held in November 1985. which are terms not widely used now. Rosamund Herbert The commendably rapid publication ensures the book’s value in informing workers in the Edited by T. J. field of the latest developments. Most of the A History of Embryology. articles are written clearly, with good Horder, J. A. Witkowski and C. C. Wylie. introductory and summary paragraphs. Pp. 477. Cambridge University Press. 7986. f 60.00 ($99.50) There is an introductory chapter, outlining present knowledge of the mechanisms of At the meeting of the British Society for translation and the major types of control. Developmental Biology at Nottingham in A substantial portion of the book should be April 1983 papers were presented on informative to teachers, students, and re- historical aspects of embryology. This search workers in other areas of biochemis- volume contains the revised version of the try who already have a good understanding papers and it will certainly prove to be a of the mechanism of protein synthesis in most valuable addition to the rather sparse eukaryotic cells and wish to up-date their literature on the history of embryology. J. Needham, who in the 1930s helped to knowledge. Some translational control mechanisms develop chemical embryology and published determine the overall amount of protein a History of Embryology (1934), has synthesized, whilst others are selective, appropriately been asked to write the regulating the synthesis of some proteins Preface. From this it appears it was relative to others. Both types of regulation unfortunately not possible to include Jane
55
Oppenheimer’s contribution. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 contains papers dealing with the period 1880-1940 which constitute the ‘classical’ period of experimental embryology (p. x). The set of papers in Part 2 ‘abandons any attempt at historical sequence as such and addresses the present situation of the subject as much as the post-war period overall’ (p. xi). The references are from the very interesting Introduction by T. J. Horder. Among other things, he points out that the history of embryology ‘iaises the question of the adequacy of current methodology for the solution of the more complex of biological problems’ (p. xv). Surprisingly, he dismisses the question ‘What is Life’ as one of the pseudo-questions (p. xvi). What then is the study of biology (including embryology) about, if it is not about attempting to provide answers to it, however incomplete and partial. It may be pointed out Purkinje (Purkyne) can be thought of as being part of experimental embryology in Germany but he is not a German embryologist (p. 180). There are, unfortunately, quite a few misprints, especially regarding German names or terms. M. Teich. The History of N. V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken. Vol. 1. The Origin of the Dutch Incandescent Lamp Industry. By A. Heerding. Pp. 343. Cambridge University Press. 1986. f30.00 ($47.50).
The present volume is the first of a projected three-volume history of the N V Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken, an important multi-national company founded in Eindhoven in 1891 by Gerard and Frederik Philips. It is, however, much more than a recital of the history of an electrical lamp factory, Mr Heerding has delineated the origins of arc lamp and incandescent filament lamps in Europe and the United States, and traces the establishment of the electrical industry in Europe to 1890. Against this background are traced the economic, social, and technical factors influencing the development of the electrical industry in the Netherlands. Of particular interest is the account of the interplay of the economic and political factors which influenced the grant of the first electricity concession in Amsterdam in September 1890. The Philips family bad developed a remarkable commercial, financial, and entrepreneural expertise which,
56
allied with Gerard Philips technical training and experience, led to a sound inception of the company and set the foundations for its later success. Competently translated from the Dutch by Derek S. Jordan, the history is supported by judiciously chosen illustrations and statistical material. Each chapter can be read as an independent entity which will enhance the value of the volume as a reference work about the early electrical industry.
appearance, without apparent ancestry, of clockwork in the West. Since that time some opinions on matters of detail have altered, but by and large their thesis still standsunassailed. With its additional Foreword by Joseph Needham and a long scholarly supplement by John Combridge, whose reconstructions of Sun Sung’s escapement have clarified many obscurities in the original Chinese texts, this elegant edition is doubly welcome, for the first has long been out of print. Colin Ronan
E. D. P. Symons.
TheHallofHeavenlyRecords.Korean Astronomical InstrumentsandClocks 1380-1780. ByJosephNeedham, Lu Gwei-Djen, John H. Combridge, andJohn S. Major. Pp. 201. Cambridge University Press, 1986. f25.00 ($44.50) Heavenly Clockvvork TheGreat AstronomicalClocksofMedievalChina. ByJoseph Needham, Wang Lingand DerekJ. De Solla Price. Pp. 266. Cambridge University Press, 1986. f35.00 ($60.00) The Hall of Heavenly Records, makes abundantly evident why Joseph Needham has called his unique collection the East Asian History of Science Library; the Needham Research Institute which housesit clearlycasts its net wider than China, to embrace the history of science and technology of the entire East Asian culture area. This important and beautifully printed study of Korean astronomical instruments is one of the fruits of this broad perspective, showing not only the prodigious influence of Chinese intellectual attainment, but also the fact that the Koreans themselves made their own contributions to mediaeval science.Essentially it describes in considerable detail the instruments of the Korean Royal Observatory in the 15th century, as well as giving details of an 18th century Korean astronomical screen. However, the authors have also provided an appropriate historical background, both political and astronomical, against which to set their descriptions, and so have given a wide readership a valuable contribution to the history of East Asian Science. By 1960, when Joseph Needham, Wang Ling, and Derek Price had completed their research on Chinese clockwork, they published the first editionof Heavenly Clockwork. At one blow they were able to demonstrate the source of the clock escapement - that basic element of all mechanical timekeepers. Its origin in China clearly indicated that transmission later gave rise to the sudden
FolkMedicine: theArtandtheScience. Edited b y Richard P. Steiner. Pp. vii + 224. American ChemicalSociety, Washington, DC. 7986.Cloth$22.95(USAandCanada), $27.95elsewhere. Paperback$l2.95(USA andCanada),$l5.95elsewhere.
The many diverse civilisations throughout the world have all made use of the plant kingdom for medicinal purposes. Initially, plant selection was made on a rational basis but as the different societies developed and became based on different philosophies, the choice of plant material became more irrational. The influence of theseideologies may be seenin the many folk medicine systems existing today. Seven of these systems are described by experts in each system in the first half of the book. This is the so-called ‘Art’. They all give some evidence for the effectiveness of certain plants for treating various diseases. Of course, the reasons for their successwas not known and it was not until the ‘therapeutic revolution’ fifty years ago that any serious study was made of the effect of drugs on animal tissues. This pharmacological study is now givingplace to astudy of the effectsofdrugson the cell biochemistry - a development made possible by the development of extremely sensitive and specific assay procedures. As well asfacilitating a more rational appioach to drug design it has also provided explanations for the effectiveness of niany plants used in folk medicine - after all, plants are a veritable reservoir of chemical substances. The last seven chapters of the book provide a link between this modern pharmacological biochemistry and some old folk medicine remedies. ThisistheScience. All thechaptersinthe book should be of great interest to pharmacognosists, phytochemists, pharmacologists, ethnopharmacologists, phytotherapeutists, and biochemists. At last, the relevance of the plant kingdom in the treatment of disease is being understood and appreciated. E. J. Shellard