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Histochimie et cytochimie animales: principes et méthodes
Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 1963, Vol. 8, pp. 287 to 288. Pergamon Press Ltd., London. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS
L. LISON. H i s t o c h i m i e et C y t o c h i m i e a n i m a l e s : p r i n c i p e s et m ~ t h o d e s . Vol. II. Gauthier-Villars, Paris. 3rd (1960) edition. 443 pp., 5 figs. $9.50. THIS second volume of the new edition of Lison's "Histochimie", following the plan established in the first volume, contains the conclusion of the fourth part of the work and the appendix. T h e greater part of the book is thus devoted to detailed consideration of the principles involved in the demonstration of various types of substance. T h e chapter on carbohydrates is especially detailed, dealing with methods applicable to simple sugars, to mucoproteins and to glycoproteins. As in the first volume, each chapter contains a tabular description of the classification adopted, together with those methods which are applicable for the demonstration of each group of substances. T h e subject matter is very clearly subdivided and it is easy to find any relevant point; in particular each section contains full discussions of the principles involved in the methods and of factors affecting their specificity. In recent years enzyme methods have assumed much greater importance in histochemistry, probably as a result of the introduction of cryostat methods, so it is fitting that the section on enzymes should be much enlarged and brought up to date. Tw o final chapters are devoted to pigments and to miscellaneous cell products and constituents, such as vitamins, and anionic and cationic mineral elements. Each chapter is concluded by a very full list of references. Perhaps the most striking omission is that of any reference to the new development of histochemistry with the electron microscope. New methods, designed both to give chemical information and to take advantage of the tremendous resolving power of the electron microscope are beginnning to appear and one hopes that such a promising approach will be considered when the next edition of the "Histochirnie" appears. T h e present volume contains the technical appendix mentioned in the review of the first volume. This appendix occupies 75 closely printed pages and contains all the information necessary for performing any of the various techniques described in the text. T h e practical details are clearly and concisely set out, and each is accompanied by a cross-reference to the relevant commentary and discussion in the body of the book. Histochemists should wholeheartedly welcome this revised version of one of their classics. S. BRADBURY
A d i p o s e T i s s u e as a n O r g a n . Edited by L. W. KINSELL. Thomas, Springfield, 1962. x i v + 2 7 8 pp. $10.75. TRIS book contains the proceedings of the Deuel Conference on Lipids held, certain clues suggest, in 1961, and it provides an extremely interesting survey of recent work on adipose tissue. Adipose tissue had proved resistant to investigation by the light microscope but electron microscopy has revealed its fine structure and this information is presented here together with an account of the effects of hormones on fine structure. T h e lipid composition of adipose tissue and its relation to diet are surveyed and the metabolic activity of adipose tissue is discussed at length, particularly in connexion with the uptake and discharge of 287
BOOK REVIEWS
L. LISON. H i s t o c h i m i e et C y t o c h i m i e a n i m a l e s : p r i n c i p e s et m ~ t h o d e s . Vol. II. Gauthier-Villars, Paris. 3rd (1960) edition. 443 pp., 5 figs. $9.50. THIS second volume of the new edition of Lison's "Histochimie", following the plan established in the first volume, contains the conclusion of the fourth part of the work and the appendix. T h e greater part of the book is thus devoted to detailed consideration of the principles involved in the demonstration of various types of substance. T h e chapter on carbohydrates is especially detailed, dealing with methods applicable to simple sugars, to mucoproteins and to glycoproteins. As in the first volume, each chapter contains a tabular description of the classification adopted, together with those methods which are applicable for the demonstration of each group of substances. T h e subject matter is very clearly subdivided and it is easy to find any relevant point; in particular each section contains full discussions of the principles involved in the methods and of factors affecting their specificity. In recent years enzyme methods have assumed much greater importance in histochemistry, probably as a result of the introduction of cryostat methods, so it is fitting that the section on enzymes should be much enlarged and brought up to date. Tw o final chapters are devoted to pigments and to miscellaneous cell products and constituents, such as vitamins, and anionic and cationic mineral elements. Each chapter is concluded by a very full list of references. Perhaps the most striking omission is that of any reference to the new development of histochemistry with the electron microscope. New methods, designed both to give chemical information and to take advantage of the tremendous resolving power of the electron microscope are beginnning to appear and one hopes that such a promising approach will be considered when the next edition of the "Histochirnie" appears. T h e present volume contains the technical appendix mentioned in the review of the first volume. This appendix occupies 75 closely printed pages and contains all the information necessary for performing any of the various techniques described in the text. T h e practical details are clearly and concisely set out, and each is accompanied by a cross-reference to the relevant commentary and discussion in the body of the book. Histochemists should wholeheartedly welcome this revised version of one of their classics. S. BRADBURY
A d i p o s e T i s s u e as a n O r g a n . Edited by L. W. KINSELL. Thomas, Springfield, 1962. x i v + 2 7 8 pp. $10.75. TRIS book contains the proceedings of the Deuel Conference on Lipids held, certain clues suggest, in 1961, and it provides an extremely interesting survey of recent work on adipose tissue. Adipose tissue had proved resistant to investigation by the light microscope but electron microscopy has revealed its fine structure and this information is presented here together with an account of the effects of hormones on fine structure. T h e lipid composition of adipose tissue and its relation to diet are surveyed and the metabolic activity of adipose tissue is discussed at length, particularly in connexion with the uptake and discharge of 287