Practical invertebrate zoology

Practical Invertebrate Zoology. R. PHILLIPS DALES, Editor. University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington. 1970. 356 pp. Price $9.50. This is another volume in the Biology Series from the University of Washington Press. It is designed as a laboratory manual for the major groups of invertebrates compiled by six experts in the field. As stated in the preface, this book was not designed as a comprehensive text, but as a laboratory guide to be used in conjunction with a standard text book. One of the major aims of the book “is to provide sufficient information for a student to make a start at getting to know the many kinds of invertebrates alive today.” The book was designed as a laboratory manual to be used with a standard text. However, it would seem that the authors have become too dependent upon this “standard text” to be used. Thus, the mamud cannot be used alone in the laboratory portion of the course. Certainly there are sections of the book which

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are satisfactory. It is also admirable that the a~,thors have included general methods to be used ill preparation of invertebrates, as well as experiment\ which can be conducted with the various phvla. Unfortunately, the book in itself cannot he used as a separate laboratory manual. While it is difficult to add something new to :I laboratory manual of invertebrate zoology, it should be possible to compi!e one that is relative]!, complete. The authors contend that in some places they have used examples which are representative. The result of this approach has been a glaring weakness in some of the phyla covered (rspecinll!~ the lower groups ). It would be an unfair imposition to ask students to purchase this book ( $9.50) in addition tc, another trut. %DNEY

s.

HERMAh-

Dept. of Biology Lehigh Uniljersity Bethlehem, Pennqlunnia

1801.5