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Chemistry and biochemistry of legumes
231
A very special value of this pamphlet is the list of 53 items of literature cited - indication of the authors’ extensive knowledge of the limited research carried out hitherto in this remote region of Ecuador and Peru. Would that more such excellent studies could be made, before these peoples succumb to the influx of modern civilization! Richard Evans Schultes
Bibiiographia ba’sica sobre herbolaria medicinal de Mexico, X. Lozoya, Illustr. Secretaria de Desarollo Urban0 y Ecolbgico, Mexico, D.F., Mexico, pp. 86, illustr. This booklet represents a long-needed bibliographic evaluation and study of many Mexican and foreign publications relating to the ethnopharmacology of this country which is so active in research into its traditional medical flora. The study includes publications from the middle 1500s to 1982 and cogent discussions about each publication. With this simple but incalculably valuable booklet there is presented a key to the wealth of ethnopharmacological information - a key that will be heartily applauded by grateful researchers interested in New World ethnobotany and especially in the development of Mexican studies in this field. Richard Evans Schultes
Chemistry and Biochemistry of Legumes, S.K. Arora (Ed.), Pp. x f 359, illustr. + tables. Edward Arnold, Baltimore, MD, 1983, pp. x + 359, illustr. + tables (USD49.00). First published in India in 1983, this book is destined, according to the editor, to help “students and research workers in (biochemistry, plant biology, genetics, phytopathology, toxicology, food science and nutrition) by providing them with a ready source of chemical information directly applicable to their specific field”. It fulfils this promise. The product of 12 contributors from five countries (India, France, Nigeria, England and the United States), the book comprises eight chapters covering: Legume Carbohydrates; Legume Lipids, Storage Protein of Legume Seed; Non-Protein Nitrogenons Compounds, especially Ureides; Toxic Constituents; Mineral Nutrition; Nutritive Value; Genetic Improvement of Grain Legumes. Each chapter is thorough, up-to-date and provided with a full bibliography of the topic. The index is detailed. Many specialists in diverse fields will want to own this work for its excellent coverage of the latest developments in this most important family of plants. It will serve at least two purposes: to researchers, it fills a much needed
232
gap; to teachers, it offers an encyclopedic discussion of each topic and provides ample bibliographic references for further instruction. Richard
Evans Schuttes
International Conference on Khat: The Health and Socioeconomic Aspects International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1983, pp. iii + 249 (CHF45.00).
of Khat Use,
This, the latest word on numerous aspects of the use of Catha edulis, comprises the papers delivered at an ~nternation~ conference that took place in Ant~a~~vo, ~ad~~c~, in January 1983. Until recently, little reliable scientific information on the use of Khat has been easily available. This collection of articles by 23 international experts considers Khat problems under eight categories: (1) History; (2) Country Reports; (3) Botany and Chemistry; (4) Pharmacology; (5) Physiological Effects; (6) Epidemiology; (7) Socioeconomic Questions; (8) Legislation and Juridical Aspects. There follow a Summary Report and Recommendations, Each contribution presents a full bibliography. In view of the sparsity of information on Khat and the extreme views pro and con concerning the use of this drug, every expert interested in psychoactive plants and their products must applaud the publication of this most useful, impartial, up-to-day compendium. Richard
Evans Schultes
Atlas of Poisonous Plants, D. Frohue and H.J. Pfander (Translated by N.G. Bisset) profusely illustrated in colour and black-and-white. Wolfe Publishing Ltd., Wolfe House, 3, Conway Street, London. Distributed in the United States by Sheridan House Inc., 145, Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 1984, pp. 291 (USD58.00). A Colour
The statement of Professor Wassermann in the Foreword sets the tone for this imposing book: “Sensational reporting is of little help to the public, as ill-informed journalists seek to ‘enliven their paper with the dead’ when they ought instead to inform and explain things objectively”. As he points out, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive treatment that will include all aspects of the problem of poisonous plants, The authors have fully satisfied this need in a most thoroughly illustrated volume that presents botanical, toxicological and pharmacological as well as therapeutic data usually in abbreviated but adequately full detail. The book is a skillful balance between technical and scientific information and its presentation is in a form useful for the educated public.
A very special value of this pamphlet is the list of 53 items of literature cited - indication of the authors’ extensive knowledge of the limited research carried out hitherto in this remote region of Ecuador and Peru. Would that more such excellent studies could be made, before these peoples succumb to the influx of modern civilization! Richard Evans Schultes
Bibiiographia ba’sica sobre herbolaria medicinal de Mexico, X. Lozoya, Illustr. Secretaria de Desarollo Urban0 y Ecolbgico, Mexico, D.F., Mexico, pp. 86, illustr. This booklet represents a long-needed bibliographic evaluation and study of many Mexican and foreign publications relating to the ethnopharmacology of this country which is so active in research into its traditional medical flora. The study includes publications from the middle 1500s to 1982 and cogent discussions about each publication. With this simple but incalculably valuable booklet there is presented a key to the wealth of ethnopharmacological information - a key that will be heartily applauded by grateful researchers interested in New World ethnobotany and especially in the development of Mexican studies in this field. Richard Evans Schultes
Chemistry and Biochemistry of Legumes, S.K. Arora (Ed.), Pp. x f 359, illustr. + tables. Edward Arnold, Baltimore, MD, 1983, pp. x + 359, illustr. + tables (USD49.00). First published in India in 1983, this book is destined, according to the editor, to help “students and research workers in (biochemistry, plant biology, genetics, phytopathology, toxicology, food science and nutrition) by providing them with a ready source of chemical information directly applicable to their specific field”. It fulfils this promise. The product of 12 contributors from five countries (India, France, Nigeria, England and the United States), the book comprises eight chapters covering: Legume Carbohydrates; Legume Lipids, Storage Protein of Legume Seed; Non-Protein Nitrogenons Compounds, especially Ureides; Toxic Constituents; Mineral Nutrition; Nutritive Value; Genetic Improvement of Grain Legumes. Each chapter is thorough, up-to-date and provided with a full bibliography of the topic. The index is detailed. Many specialists in diverse fields will want to own this work for its excellent coverage of the latest developments in this most important family of plants. It will serve at least two purposes: to researchers, it fills a much needed
232
gap; to teachers, it offers an encyclopedic discussion of each topic and provides ample bibliographic references for further instruction. Richard
Evans Schuttes
International Conference on Khat: The Health and Socioeconomic Aspects International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1983, pp. iii + 249 (CHF45.00).
of Khat Use,
This, the latest word on numerous aspects of the use of Catha edulis, comprises the papers delivered at an ~nternation~ conference that took place in Ant~a~~vo, ~ad~~c~, in January 1983. Until recently, little reliable scientific information on the use of Khat has been easily available. This collection of articles by 23 international experts considers Khat problems under eight categories: (1) History; (2) Country Reports; (3) Botany and Chemistry; (4) Pharmacology; (5) Physiological Effects; (6) Epidemiology; (7) Socioeconomic Questions; (8) Legislation and Juridical Aspects. There follow a Summary Report and Recommendations, Each contribution presents a full bibliography. In view of the sparsity of information on Khat and the extreme views pro and con concerning the use of this drug, every expert interested in psychoactive plants and their products must applaud the publication of this most useful, impartial, up-to-day compendium. Richard
Evans Schultes
Atlas of Poisonous Plants, D. Frohue and H.J. Pfander (Translated by N.G. Bisset) profusely illustrated in colour and black-and-white. Wolfe Publishing Ltd., Wolfe House, 3, Conway Street, London. Distributed in the United States by Sheridan House Inc., 145, Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 1984, pp. 291 (USD58.00). A Colour
The statement of Professor Wassermann in the Foreword sets the tone for this imposing book: “Sensational reporting is of little help to the public, as ill-informed journalists seek to ‘enliven their paper with the dead’ when they ought instead to inform and explain things objectively”. As he points out, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive treatment that will include all aspects of the problem of poisonous plants, The authors have fully satisfied this need in a most thoroughly illustrated volume that presents botanical, toxicological and pharmacological as well as therapeutic data usually in abbreviated but adequately full detail. The book is a skillful balance between technical and scientific information and its presentation is in a form useful for the educated public.