Annual review of biochemistry, vol. 52, 1983

Dr Ann Henderson-Sellers has provided a discussion of this interdisciplinary subject and she reviews current knowledge of the Solar System and the planetary atmospheres. The text is divided into six chapters covering atmospheric evolution, the Earth’s atmosphere, and the origin and evolution of life and planetary climatology. Generally speaking, the text is well written, with a wide range of references to supplement the discussions. However, many of the discussions are rather superficial and those relating to the physical processes involved are generally discussed in a very limited manner. As a consequence there is little mathematical analysis. A book of this sort is, in principle, a useful reference for students and research workers. It is perhaps unfortunate, therefore, that so much of the tabulated material is incorrect, and should have been updated before publication. The most serious errors are as follows. Table 1.2 contains incorrect information on the rotational periods of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Table 1.4 gives incorrect information concerning the Hydrogen/Helium abundance on Saturn and lacks information about nitrogen in Titan, though p. 117 and Table 3.6 do, in fact, give this information about Titan. Table 2.3 contains wrong albedos for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. All of this material has been known for more than two years, and it is a pity that the correct values have not been used. There are several other examples where the discussions are out of date, particularly with the complicated dynamical properties of Jupiter and Saturn, where the controversy of the deep and shallow models is not fully understood, or possibly misunderstood. It is a real challenge to undertake the task of writing a book on such a broad subject as the origin and evolution of planetary atmospheres. The book is useful reading for students of the subject and in that Dr Henderson-Sellers has been successful. Garry E. Hunt

Sunsets, Twilights, and Evening Skies. By Aden and Marjorie Meinel. Pp. 163: Cambridge University Press. 1983. f 17.50 1$29.951.

In the preface the authors state that ‘This book is written for the many inquisitive people who enjoy nature and are interested in knowing the spectrum of appearances of sunset and evening skies’. Their note iliustrates clearly both the coverage of the book, and its tone. It is not a specialised or scientifically rigorous book, but rather a chatty, wide-ranging, personal view of optical effects associated with the close of day. The writing may appear at first to be somewhat effusive and sentimental in placesunnecessarily so, since the many beautiful photographs render heightened verbal descriptions redundant. However, there is great honesty, charm, and consistency in the descriptions, and the original102

ity of view and presentation is very attractive. The coverage is comprehensive: sunset; the green flash; the earth’s shadow; volcanic eruptions and twilights; Bishop’s ring; blue sun, noctilucent clouds; zodiacal light; gegenschein; aurora; city lights; twilight on the planets; celestial visitors; reflections. This is a highly readable and entertaining book, excellently produced. J. Latham The Atlas of the Solar System By Patrick Moore, Garry Hunt, lain Nicolson, and Peter Cattermole. Pp. 464. Mitchell Beazley, London. 1983. f 19.95.

This is a beautifully produced work which at today’s prices is fairly inexpensive. Much of the content has already been published by the same authors in a series of books concerned with individual members of the solar system. However, it is very satisfying to find the whole of this material-and more-presented in a single volume. ‘The Atlas of the Solar System’ is both well written and authoritative. It is profusely illustrated in colour and monochrome, extensive use having been made of the splendid photographs obtained by the Voyagers, Vikings, and other space probes. Substantial chapters are devoted to the Sun and each of the planets-plus the Moon-from Mercury outwards to Jupiter. A particularly attractive feature is the detailed maps of the larger satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. By comparison it could be argued that the coverage of the asteroids, outer planets, and comets is a little sparse. Several irritating errors of a relatively minor nature catch the eye. For example (p. 103), Johann Schroter’s dates are much confused, while (p. 240) as seen from Mars the two satellites Phobos and Deimos would be vastly brighter (by some 6 magnitudes) than the authors allege. Nevertheless, the atlas should delight both the professional and amateur astronomer. An excellent buy! F. R. Stephenson The Colour Science of Dyes and Pigments. By Keith McLaren. Pp. 786. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1983. f 17.50.

This book presents a wide coverage of the science and technology of colour, but does not claim to deal comprehensively with the various topics. In the space of some 200 pages it has not been possible to treat fundamentals thoroughly. Of prime importance to the colour chemist, it will also draw a readership from the colour physicist, psychologist, and members of other disciplines concerned with colour. There is coverage of theories, mechanisms, and measurement of colour, defective colour vision, and colour atlases, but chapters of particular note are probably those where Keith McLaren’s own interest and expertise mainly lie. The complicated subject of colour differences, including the role played by the C.I.E., leads into its application in acceptability and fastness testing in

the dyeing industry. Also of direct application to this industry are changes in colour appearance with change in illuminant and chromatic adaption. A chapter on reflection and transmission spectrophotometers includes the subjects of fluorescence and ceramic colour standards: improvements today have resulted from modem computer technology. The latter also has an important application in colour match prediction: not only can the proportions of three dyes required to match a given sample be ascertained, but the most suitable three (or more if required) can rapidly be selected from a wide range of potential components. An intriguing chapter is the first, which traces the development of pigments and dyes from the Stone Age up to the synthetic dyes of modern times. This is a book which can be recommended to workers in this field. P. W. Trezona Annual Review of Biochemistry, Vol. 52, 1999. Edited by E. E. Snell, P. D. Boyer, A. Meister, and C. C. Richardson. Pp. 950. Annual Reviews Inc. Palo Alto, 1983. $39.00 (USA), $32.00 (elsewhere) incl. P&P.

Publication of Annual Review of Biochemistry in the late summer allows the academic biochemist time to catch up quickly before the start of a new session. The contents fall into five categories: (a) immediately relevant to personal research; (b) peripheral to personal research; (c) reviews describing active growing points which the intending well-informed biochemist ought to read; (d) recent advances in classical biochemistry for updating lectures, (e) an autobiographical article by a senior and respected biochemist. Readers will have their own views concerning the composition of categories (a), (b) and perhaps (c). Personally, category (a) comprised reviews on the structure and catalysis of enzymes (Lipscomb), dynamics of proteins (Karplus and McCammon) and human plasma proteinase inhibitors (Travis and Salvesen) while the article on affiinity labelling of purine nucleotide sites in proteins (Colman) exemplifies category (b). The third category is richly covered inter alia by reviews on cellular oncogenes (Bishop), leukotrienes (Hammarstrom), influenza virus (Lamb and Choppin), ribulose-l$bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Miziorko and Lorimer) and B-lactam antibiotics (Waxman and Strominger). Undergraduate lectures can be updated by reviews on vitamin D (DeLuca and Schnoes), gluconeogenesis (Hers and Hue) and fatty acid synthesis and regulation (Wakil, Stoops, and Joshi). In conclusion, Leloir’s article is a fascinating account of a prestigious career impeded by difficulties in research funding, political dangers, and the frequent necessity to change research field. If your next application for a research grant fails, console yourself by reading Leloir’s story. D. T. Elmore