Bird hybrids. A check list with bibliography

BOOK REVIEWS The Neurohypophysis. By H. HELLER, Editor.

London : Butterworth's Scientific Publications . 1957 . 50s . This beautifully produced volume contains the Proceedings of the Eighth Symposium of the Colston Research Society held in the University of Bristol during 1956 . This was the first international meeting devoted solely to the neurohypophysis and there was an impressive series of 18 papers, each of which is reproduced in full, together with the relevant discussion . It seems clear that findings up to 1956 are recorded, documented and critically discussed, and as such the whole forms an extremely valuable work of reference. A.N .W .

Electronic Instrumentation for the Behavioral Sciences . By C . C . BROWN & R. T. SAUCER .

Springfield, Ill . : Charles C . Thomas . 1958 . Pp. 176. 42s . This slim volume sets out "a summary of requisite backgrougd information and physical theory for the understanding of contemporary behavioral instrumentation, together with an exposition of a wide variety of instruments for detecting and recording behaviour ." With so wide a scope covered in 160 pages the pace is inevitably fast . The authors recommend the novice to use a fuller text for they are well aware of the scanty coverage of straight-forward theory . Most of the book is devoted to a catalogue of useful circuits . Almost every circuit is accompanied by a diagram showing component values and a description of how it works . The range covered is diverse and comprehensive . For example in the chapter "Timing Circuits," "flipflop" and "bootstrap" circuits are discussed . Elsewhere, more elementary circuits, such as power units, oscillators, and relay networks, are discussed in detail . Special mention is made in all cases of their application and limitations . A chapter on transitor theory is included . This is an excellent introduction to the theory and use of these new components . The last chapter has some brief but stimulating views on workshop equipment and practice . From what has been said it would seem that this book amply fulfils its stated purpose . However, it must be borne in mind that the beginner will be quite unable to follow the diagrams, as there is neither key to the symbols nor a section explaining the unit abbreviations . The diagrams are by far the weakest part of the book and detract much from the value of the test . At least

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eight of the 58 diagrams have some fault in labelling or are in direct contradiction to the relevant passages, which they are supposed to clarify . Some other sections, such as that on A .C. theory, would be greatly improved by the inclusion of diagrams . In conclusion, it may be stated that this book collects together a' lot of information dispersed in more advanced works . The authors have, it seems, attempted to cover too wide a field . If the space and energy devoted to the chapters on elementary theory had been spent on extending the explanations on the more advanced circuits and on correcting the errors in both the text and diagrams, the book would be considerably improved . P .J.W.

Bird Hybrids . A Check List with Bibliography . By P. GRAY . Commonwealth Animal Bureaux . 1958 . 50s . This painstaking and comprehensive companion volume to the authoress's Mammalian Hybrids, published in 1954, fulfils an equally important need, and Miss Gray deserves the thanks of workers in several fields for a most useful and well-documented work of reference, helpfully annotated. As she herself emphasises however, "While great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the compilation, it must be stressed that many of the records rest on very slender foundations, and the reader is strongly advised to consult the literature and use his own judgment in assessing the authenticity of any particular cross." Classification and nomenclature have been discussed and checked with experts and may readily be followed . ANNIE

A.N .W .

Comparative Physiology of Reproduction . Memoirs of the Society for Endocrinology No . 4. By I . CHESTER JONES & P. ECKSTEIN, Editors.

Cambridge University Press . 1956 . Pp . x 254. 50s. This memoir is based upon the proceedings of the symposium held at the Department of Zoology of the University of Liverpool during 1954, and the fact that there was some delay in subsequent publication of the 14 papers and accompanying discussions does not detract from a valuable and broad survey, adequately documented. It is unfortunate for the non-specialist reader, or for those attempting to check know-