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Defective colour vision. Fundamentals, diagnosis and management
patible with physical reductionism, and the other (‘provincialism’) that claims that all biological phenomena are ultimately explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry. The author argues his case with penetrating analyses of frequently discussed biophilosophical problems such as teleology. evolutionary theory (especially the charge of tautology), the concept of fitness, the delinition of species, and the language of intention. His conclusion is that, although the provincialists have a very strong case, there are complexities of organization that will, for the foreseeable future, continue to require a functionalist approach in research, and also epistemological problems that, in principle, cannot yield to reductionism. This is not an easy book to read: but, for the philosopher of science, and for the biologist not content with a superficial understanding of modern concepts, the effort required to masters its arguments would be well worthwhile. The book ineludes useful bibliographies. G. E. Barnes Defective Colour Vision. Fundamentals, Diagnosis and Management. By Robert Fletcher and Janet Voke. Pp. 606. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1965. f45.00 ($67.50).
The first four chapters of this book seek to describe the mechanisms underlying normal colour vision, and the cause of, and abnormalities associated with, defective colour vision. These were a great disappointment, for alternative theories and interpretations of data are given uncritical coverage. The middle chapters, devoted to the detection and diagnosis of colour vision anomalies are more informative, describing diagnostic tests and indicating their applications and limitations. Chapter eight gives the colour vision test result of fourteen carefully selected people. These are particularly revealing. The diagnoses were faultless though I noted that total error scores of five Farnsworth-Munsel 100 Hue tests were wrong. Following the tests, seven of the subjects were prescribed or advised to try coloured filters to assist with their colour vision! Chapter nine, which advocates the use of coloured filters for colour vision defects brought to mind the dark ages when exploitation by witchcraft was common. The last chapters and appendix, which consider vocational, industrial, and safety aspects and colour vision standards could, if revised, make a useful pamphlet for those involved in advising people who have a common hereditary colour vision defect. B. R. Smith Evolutionary Ecology of Marsupials. A. K. Lee and A. Cockburn. Pp. 274. Cambridge University Press. 1965. f30.00 ($US54.50).
By
H. Waring came to Australia with the avowed aim of stimulating ‘the study of marsupials. He would be gratified with this
208
volume which indicates the success of his crusade. Following a summary of the natural history of marsupials by taxa the authors show how restricted has been their radiation compared with placentals. The approach presents information in a framework which facilitates comparison of the radiation of marsupials in terms of food, life history, and co-evolution. Emphasis on mathematical description with stress on testable hypotheses leads naturally to some criticism of those making speculative interpretations of natural history observations. There is a mutualism: the speculations of naturalists are tilled by those who skill lies in knowing what techniques are appropriate to test ideas. The confidence with which their ideas are expressed, the forthright turn of phrase when dismissing some arguments, is likely to see emotion rather than rational judgment obtrude in the assessment of the text. The authors emphasise the genus Antechinus as a model for studies of interspecies differences and life history strategies. In summary, this is a well-organised review of the literature and a valiant attempt to place marsupial natural history into a framework from which further comparative studies can proceed. A. R. Main
BIMen und Fledermiiuse. By Klaus Dobat. Pp. 370. Waldermar Kramer. Frankfun 1965. DM 78.
In recent years interest in the relationship between bats and plants has greatly increased in both the Old World and New World tropics; yet much of our information remains anecdotal. This fascinating book on pollination by bats (chiropterophily) provides a comprehensive summary of our current knowledge. After chapters providing an introduction (11 pages) and historical background (9 pages) to the topic, plant adaptations (75 pages) and bat adaptations (28 pages) are described. There follows a discussion of nocturnal pollination (41 pages), the distribution of chiropterophily (12 pages) and its evolution (15 pages). Thereafter, there is a systematic classification of the flowers involved (X2 pages) and of the bats (15 pages). The book concludes with a useful glossary, a comprehensive list of over 600 references and a full index. Throughout, it is most attractively produced, being profusely illustrated with drawings, diagrams. and photographs (I 3 of which are in colour) of excellent quality. I can unhesitatingly recommend this book to biologists, both amateur and professional, who are interested in pollination biology, in bats, or in the fascinating world of animal-plant interactions. My only regret, and one arising from my own incapacities. is that the book is not in English. I sincerely hope that author and publisher will consider an English-language edition which would, I am sure, be of world-wide interest. Adrian
G. Marshall
Madagascar. Edited by A. Jolly, P. Oberl& and R. Albignac. Pp. 239. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 7964. f 14.95 ($23.95).
This attractively illustrated and informative volume, the eighth in a series of Key Environments. published in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature. maintains the high standards set by its predecessors. Of all the world’s environments under threat, islands are most vulnerable and have suffered most. Among them the plight of Madagascar is greatest. Some smaller islands, notably the Galapagos and Hawaii, have contributed much to the development of evolutionary ideas. Because of their small size, impoverished biota, and isolation, however. they may have less to offer to future scientific understanding than Madagascar, provided that the Rora and fauna of the latter can be saved. An extensive specialist literature devoted to Madagascar already exists, but to most of us it is inaccessible. It is also incomplete. The Malagasy flora and vegetation, for instance, have been studied with little reference to those of the African mainland. Hence the benefits of comparison have so far been denied. Now, for the first time, the general reader can learn from specialists, but succinctly and in simple terms, about the wealth and diversity of Malagasy biota and why they should be allowed to survive. I have little doubt that some readers, both inside and outside Madagascar, will feel an urge to learn more about them and to become involved in their conservation. An excellent introduction, which unfortunately lacks references, is followed by ten chapters on the flora and vegetation, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The concluding chapters on conservation show a sympathetic understanding of the problems to be faced and should provide a sound foundation for the future. F. White
Agriculture and Environment. By David Briggs and Frank Courtney. Pp. 442. Longman, London. 1965. f30.00.
This well-produced though pricey volume is subtitled ‘The Physical Geography of Temperate Agricultural Systems’. It is divided into four parts: an introduction and historical background; technical description of modern farming practices applied to land and crops; an examination of grassland and arable systems: and a discussion of the environmental impact of modern agriculture. The text is based mainly on Britain but has extensive references. While aimed primarily at undergraduates in geography and environmental studies. others will find the book valuable for its compilation and presentation of a wide range of scientific findings. Nevertheless, as the authors point out, physical and ecological processes form only part of the total picture, and other
The first four chapters of this book seek to describe the mechanisms underlying normal colour vision, and the cause of, and abnormalities associated with, defective colour vision. These were a great disappointment, for alternative theories and interpretations of data are given uncritical coverage. The middle chapters, devoted to the detection and diagnosis of colour vision anomalies are more informative, describing diagnostic tests and indicating their applications and limitations. Chapter eight gives the colour vision test result of fourteen carefully selected people. These are particularly revealing. The diagnoses were faultless though I noted that total error scores of five Farnsworth-Munsel 100 Hue tests were wrong. Following the tests, seven of the subjects were prescribed or advised to try coloured filters to assist with their colour vision! Chapter nine, which advocates the use of coloured filters for colour vision defects brought to mind the dark ages when exploitation by witchcraft was common. The last chapters and appendix, which consider vocational, industrial, and safety aspects and colour vision standards could, if revised, make a useful pamphlet for those involved in advising people who have a common hereditary colour vision defect. B. R. Smith Evolutionary Ecology of Marsupials. A. K. Lee and A. Cockburn. Pp. 274. Cambridge University Press. 1965. f30.00 ($US54.50).
By
H. Waring came to Australia with the avowed aim of stimulating ‘the study of marsupials. He would be gratified with this
208
volume which indicates the success of his crusade. Following a summary of the natural history of marsupials by taxa the authors show how restricted has been their radiation compared with placentals. The approach presents information in a framework which facilitates comparison of the radiation of marsupials in terms of food, life history, and co-evolution. Emphasis on mathematical description with stress on testable hypotheses leads naturally to some criticism of those making speculative interpretations of natural history observations. There is a mutualism: the speculations of naturalists are tilled by those who skill lies in knowing what techniques are appropriate to test ideas. The confidence with which their ideas are expressed, the forthright turn of phrase when dismissing some arguments, is likely to see emotion rather than rational judgment obtrude in the assessment of the text. The authors emphasise the genus Antechinus as a model for studies of interspecies differences and life history strategies. In summary, this is a well-organised review of the literature and a valiant attempt to place marsupial natural history into a framework from which further comparative studies can proceed. A. R. Main
BIMen und Fledermiiuse. By Klaus Dobat. Pp. 370. Waldermar Kramer. Frankfun 1965. DM 78.
In recent years interest in the relationship between bats and plants has greatly increased in both the Old World and New World tropics; yet much of our information remains anecdotal. This fascinating book on pollination by bats (chiropterophily) provides a comprehensive summary of our current knowledge. After chapters providing an introduction (11 pages) and historical background (9 pages) to the topic, plant adaptations (75 pages) and bat adaptations (28 pages) are described. There follows a discussion of nocturnal pollination (41 pages), the distribution of chiropterophily (12 pages) and its evolution (15 pages). Thereafter, there is a systematic classification of the flowers involved (X2 pages) and of the bats (15 pages). The book concludes with a useful glossary, a comprehensive list of over 600 references and a full index. Throughout, it is most attractively produced, being profusely illustrated with drawings, diagrams. and photographs (I 3 of which are in colour) of excellent quality. I can unhesitatingly recommend this book to biologists, both amateur and professional, who are interested in pollination biology, in bats, or in the fascinating world of animal-plant interactions. My only regret, and one arising from my own incapacities. is that the book is not in English. I sincerely hope that author and publisher will consider an English-language edition which would, I am sure, be of world-wide interest. Adrian
G. Marshall
Madagascar. Edited by A. Jolly, P. Oberl& and R. Albignac. Pp. 239. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 7964. f 14.95 ($23.95).
This attractively illustrated and informative volume, the eighth in a series of Key Environments. published in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature. maintains the high standards set by its predecessors. Of all the world’s environments under threat, islands are most vulnerable and have suffered most. Among them the plight of Madagascar is greatest. Some smaller islands, notably the Galapagos and Hawaii, have contributed much to the development of evolutionary ideas. Because of their small size, impoverished biota, and isolation, however. they may have less to offer to future scientific understanding than Madagascar, provided that the Rora and fauna of the latter can be saved. An extensive specialist literature devoted to Madagascar already exists, but to most of us it is inaccessible. It is also incomplete. The Malagasy flora and vegetation, for instance, have been studied with little reference to those of the African mainland. Hence the benefits of comparison have so far been denied. Now, for the first time, the general reader can learn from specialists, but succinctly and in simple terms, about the wealth and diversity of Malagasy biota and why they should be allowed to survive. I have little doubt that some readers, both inside and outside Madagascar, will feel an urge to learn more about them and to become involved in their conservation. An excellent introduction, which unfortunately lacks references, is followed by ten chapters on the flora and vegetation, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The concluding chapters on conservation show a sympathetic understanding of the problems to be faced and should provide a sound foundation for the future. F. White
Agriculture and Environment. By David Briggs and Frank Courtney. Pp. 442. Longman, London. 1965. f30.00.
This well-produced though pricey volume is subtitled ‘The Physical Geography of Temperate Agricultural Systems’. It is divided into four parts: an introduction and historical background; technical description of modern farming practices applied to land and crops; an examination of grassland and arable systems: and a discussion of the environmental impact of modern agriculture. The text is based mainly on Britain but has extensive references. While aimed primarily at undergraduates in geography and environmental studies. others will find the book valuable for its compilation and presentation of a wide range of scientific findings. Nevertheless, as the authors point out, physical and ecological processes form only part of the total picture, and other