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Annual review of plant physiology. Volume 6
254
BOOK
REVIEWS
Annual Review of Plant Physiology. Volume 6. Edited by DANIEL I. ARNON, University of California. Annual Reviews, Inc., Stanford, California, 16.55. 505 pp. Price $7.00. This is the sixth volume since the ilnnztal Review of P/ant Phylsiolog~ I,ranched off from the Annual Eeaiew of Biochemistry. It con&ins 18 articles on topics of interest 1)y 22 authors from all over the world, many of whom are famous men of science. As one might expect, the result is a volume literally packed with informa tion of which any serious student in plant physiology will want to avail himself. It provides excellent, authoritative background material for teaching, as well as for research. Although written by experts, the publication is not intended for the specialist primarily. An article which the reviewer especially enjoyed is “The Iiutrition of Plant Tissue Cultures,” by R. J. Gautheret, admirably translated from t,he French I)! Miguel Raggio. Through it the English-speaking reader can share the vast esperience of this eminent researcher. Equally enjoyable to the revielver was “n’itrogrn Metabolism,” by the young author, George C. Webster. It is \vell presented and is obviously the result of clear thinking. Other articles, all authoritatively written and giving the reader a key to the latest literature arc: “Mechanism of Ion Accumulation,” by H. Lundeg%rdh (Sweden) ; “Redistribution of Mineral Elements,” by R. F. Williams (Australia); “Functions of Minerals,” by A. Pirson (Germany) ; “Biochemistry of Photosyn thesis,” by W. Vi&&c; “Ecology in Photosynthesis,” by M. D. Thomas; “Chenical Configuration of Auxins,” by R. M. Muir and C. Hnnsch; “Physiology of Flowering,” by J. L. Liverman; “Color Development of Flowers,” by K. l’aech (Germany) ; “Physiology of the Cotton Plant,” by F. M. Eaton; “Physiology of Abscission,” by F. T. Addicott and R. S. Lynch; “Water Uptake by Cells,” l)y I’. J. Kramer; and “Physiology of Alkaloids,” by K. hlothes (Germany). Especially commendable was the editor’s choosing to include three articles on the physiology of plant pathology. These are written by A. E. Dimond; J. C. Walker; lXI. A. Stahlmann, ,J. J. Christensen, and J. E. DcVay. Such selections will help in achieving one of t,he aims set for the Reviews by its retiring editor, D. I. Arnon, that of knitting closer tics between physiologists active in diverse fields of research. On the debit side, the reviewer must mention the very small print, which does not encourage reading; the long, long paragraphs, the long sentences and the excessive USCof author names in the text in some of the articles. It would seem that the time has come to review management policies. Two of the changes that suggest themselves: In-caking up the pages into two columns, and engaging t,he services of a professional writer who could assist the editors in rewriting some of the manuscripts sent in by eminent researchers whose writing is poor. Summing it up: an excellent source book, the readability of which could be improved by overhauling the practices now followed in t,he editorial offices for handling of manuscripts and for printing. J. VAN OVERBEEK, Modesto, Cnliforni:l
BOOK
REVIEWS
Annual Review of Plant Physiology. Volume 6. Edited by DANIEL I. ARNON, University of California. Annual Reviews, Inc., Stanford, California, 16.55. 505 pp. Price $7.00. This is the sixth volume since the ilnnztal Review of P/ant Phylsiolog~ I,ranched off from the Annual Eeaiew of Biochemistry. It con&ins 18 articles on topics of interest 1)y 22 authors from all over the world, many of whom are famous men of science. As one might expect, the result is a volume literally packed with informa tion of which any serious student in plant physiology will want to avail himself. It provides excellent, authoritative background material for teaching, as well as for research. Although written by experts, the publication is not intended for the specialist primarily. An article which the reviewer especially enjoyed is “The Iiutrition of Plant Tissue Cultures,” by R. J. Gautheret, admirably translated from t,he French I)! Miguel Raggio. Through it the English-speaking reader can share the vast esperience of this eminent researcher. Equally enjoyable to the revielver was “n’itrogrn Metabolism,” by the young author, George C. Webster. It is \vell presented and is obviously the result of clear thinking. Other articles, all authoritatively written and giving the reader a key to the latest literature arc: “Mechanism of Ion Accumulation,” by H. Lundeg%rdh (Sweden) ; “Redistribution of Mineral Elements,” by R. F. Williams (Australia); “Functions of Minerals,” by A. Pirson (Germany) ; “Biochemistry of Photosyn thesis,” by W. Vi&&c; “Ecology in Photosynthesis,” by M. D. Thomas; “Chenical Configuration of Auxins,” by R. M. Muir and C. Hnnsch; “Physiology of Flowering,” by J. L. Liverman; “Color Development of Flowers,” by K. l’aech (Germany) ; “Physiology of the Cotton Plant,” by F. M. Eaton; “Physiology of Abscission,” by F. T. Addicott and R. S. Lynch; “Water Uptake by Cells,” l)y I’. J. Kramer; and “Physiology of Alkaloids,” by K. hlothes (Germany). Especially commendable was the editor’s choosing to include three articles on the physiology of plant pathology. These are written by A. E. Dimond; J. C. Walker; lXI. A. Stahlmann, ,J. J. Christensen, and J. E. DcVay. Such selections will help in achieving one of t,he aims set for the Reviews by its retiring editor, D. I. Arnon, that of knitting closer tics between physiologists active in diverse fields of research. On the debit side, the reviewer must mention the very small print, which does not encourage reading; the long, long paragraphs, the long sentences and the excessive USCof author names in the text in some of the articles. It would seem that the time has come to review management policies. Two of the changes that suggest themselves: In-caking up the pages into two columns, and engaging t,he services of a professional writer who could assist the editors in rewriting some of the manuscripts sent in by eminent researchers whose writing is poor. Summing it up: an excellent source book, the readability of which could be improved by overhauling the practices now followed in t,he editorial offices for handling of manuscripts and for printing. J. VAN OVERBEEK, Modesto, Cnliforni:l