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Pedology, weathering, and geomorphological research
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correct, I think that it is important to point out that the book will n o t often be used as the " t e x t " for university courses in stratigraphic geology or sedimentology, if for no other reason than the cost of the book. Even graduate geologists will have to carry out a cost/benefit analysis before deciding whether or not to buy it. My view is that purchase of the volume would certainly represent a good investment. The chapter on the deltaic environment, as a case in point, is concise, well-organized and informatively illustrated. References, except for a few classic ones, are of very recent vintage. They include important papers on both m o d e m deltaic systems and their ancient counterparts. Without question, the authors of Depositional Sedimentary Environments have made a significant contribution to the literature of geoscience. In m y view, the volume belongs on the shelf of every serious student of sedimentary systems. K.G. J O H N S O N (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. )
Pedology, Weathering, and Geomorphological Research. P.W. Birkeland. Oxford University Press, New York--London, 1974, 285 pp., £6.25. Birkeland's amply illustrated book consists essentially of four parts. The first part contains a discussion of the soil profile, soil-horizon nomenclature, and soil characteristics (Chapter 1) and an introduction to soil classification (Chapter 2). The material covered in Chapter 1 is standard knowledge among soil scientists. It should be more beneficial to other scientists whose familiarity with the soil framework and physical and chemical properties may be more remote. The chapter on soil classification may be somewhat difficult for non-soil taxonomists. The author adopts the new U.S. Soil T a x o n o m y (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service), informally known for some time as the 7th Approximation, revised, and uses it throughout the book. If an adequate background had been presented that relates the newer to older or other systems, perhaps the new one would n o t be such a shock to anyone who is not familiar with development of the change in systems. Even to this reviewer who spent almost two decades in full time soil survey research, "Natraqualfic Mazaquerts" is a bit awkward to the eye, ear, and tongue. The second part of the book discusses processes. Weathering (Chapter 3) is explained by physical and chemical activities and the latter with emphasis on soil and mineral chemistry. This introduction leads to the products of weathering (Chapter 4), which is essentially a discourse about clay minerals and clay mineralogy that is handled in the m o d e m manner. Lacking in this chapter is any mention of the products of soil weathering that are introduced into ground and surface waters. These products are of particular interest to geomorphologists, hydrogeologists, and environmental geologists.
177 The second part of the b o o k ends with an explanation of the processes responsible for the development of soil profiles {Chapter 5). The formation of A, B, and carbonate horizons is discussed in terms of the principles established in the t w o previous chapters. The inclusion of radiocarbon dating of soil horizons in Chapter 5 seems o u t of context and may fit better in a subsequent chapter a b o u t time. The third part of the b o o k is an updating of Hans Jenny's classic work "Factors of Soil Formation". In fact, Birkeland's Chapter 6 has the same title, and chapters 7 through 11 take up the factors one at a time, respectively, parent material (7), time (8), topography (9), vegetation (10), and climate (11). Although this kind of compartmentalization is useful for instructional purposes, it is disappointing that the author does n o t finally present an integrated summary model wherein the factors are used in a systems-analysis approach. In recent years quantitative studies on hillslopes and softs and larger soil landscapes have used the factors in this way. Surprisingly, catena is n o t mentioned in the book. This conceptual model as constructed by Milne remains as the clearest general systems statement in the literature a b o u t soil geomorphology. It n o t only integrates the factors in explaining soil differences, b u t it also focuses on past history of the land surface, geohydrology, erosion, sediment transport, and pedogenic processes. The fourth part of the b o o k is Chapter 12 which discusses the use of soils in Quaternary stratigraphic studies. Although this subject is adequately treated in this one chapter, that is set aside in c o n t e x t from the rest of the book, this reviewer hopes that scientists and students will n o t be misled and conclude that the only use of knowledge a b o u t " p e d o l o g y " and "weathering" is to apply it to Quaternary stratigraphic studies. Soil geomorphology is more than that! The b o o k closes with t w o brief appendices on data necessary for describing a soil profile and climatic conditions in the United States. R.V. RUHE (Bloomington, Ind.)
The Classification o f Some British Soils According to the Comprehensive System of the United States. J.M. Ragg and B. Clayden. Soil Survey Technical Monograph No. 3. Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, 1973, 227 pp., £1.20. As stated in the Preface the primary aim of this b o o k is to increase understanding of the American soil classification for those mainly familiar with British soils. One or more profiles from Britain have been selected for each American Great Group of importance in the U.K., resulting in a collection of 78 soil profile descriptions with accompanying analytical and micro-morpho-
correct, I think that it is important to point out that the book will n o t often be used as the " t e x t " for university courses in stratigraphic geology or sedimentology, if for no other reason than the cost of the book. Even graduate geologists will have to carry out a cost/benefit analysis before deciding whether or not to buy it. My view is that purchase of the volume would certainly represent a good investment. The chapter on the deltaic environment, as a case in point, is concise, well-organized and informatively illustrated. References, except for a few classic ones, are of very recent vintage. They include important papers on both m o d e m deltaic systems and their ancient counterparts. Without question, the authors of Depositional Sedimentary Environments have made a significant contribution to the literature of geoscience. In m y view, the volume belongs on the shelf of every serious student of sedimentary systems. K.G. J O H N S O N (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. )
Pedology, Weathering, and Geomorphological Research. P.W. Birkeland. Oxford University Press, New York--London, 1974, 285 pp., £6.25. Birkeland's amply illustrated book consists essentially of four parts. The first part contains a discussion of the soil profile, soil-horizon nomenclature, and soil characteristics (Chapter 1) and an introduction to soil classification (Chapter 2). The material covered in Chapter 1 is standard knowledge among soil scientists. It should be more beneficial to other scientists whose familiarity with the soil framework and physical and chemical properties may be more remote. The chapter on soil classification may be somewhat difficult for non-soil taxonomists. The author adopts the new U.S. Soil T a x o n o m y (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service), informally known for some time as the 7th Approximation, revised, and uses it throughout the book. If an adequate background had been presented that relates the newer to older or other systems, perhaps the new one would n o t be such a shock to anyone who is not familiar with development of the change in systems. Even to this reviewer who spent almost two decades in full time soil survey research, "Natraqualfic Mazaquerts" is a bit awkward to the eye, ear, and tongue. The second part of the book discusses processes. Weathering (Chapter 3) is explained by physical and chemical activities and the latter with emphasis on soil and mineral chemistry. This introduction leads to the products of weathering (Chapter 4), which is essentially a discourse about clay minerals and clay mineralogy that is handled in the m o d e m manner. Lacking in this chapter is any mention of the products of soil weathering that are introduced into ground and surface waters. These products are of particular interest to geomorphologists, hydrogeologists, and environmental geologists.
177 The second part of the b o o k ends with an explanation of the processes responsible for the development of soil profiles {Chapter 5). The formation of A, B, and carbonate horizons is discussed in terms of the principles established in the t w o previous chapters. The inclusion of radiocarbon dating of soil horizons in Chapter 5 seems o u t of context and may fit better in a subsequent chapter a b o u t time. The third part of the b o o k is an updating of Hans Jenny's classic work "Factors of Soil Formation". In fact, Birkeland's Chapter 6 has the same title, and chapters 7 through 11 take up the factors one at a time, respectively, parent material (7), time (8), topography (9), vegetation (10), and climate (11). Although this kind of compartmentalization is useful for instructional purposes, it is disappointing that the author does n o t finally present an integrated summary model wherein the factors are used in a systems-analysis approach. In recent years quantitative studies on hillslopes and softs and larger soil landscapes have used the factors in this way. Surprisingly, catena is n o t mentioned in the book. This conceptual model as constructed by Milne remains as the clearest general systems statement in the literature a b o u t soil geomorphology. It n o t only integrates the factors in explaining soil differences, b u t it also focuses on past history of the land surface, geohydrology, erosion, sediment transport, and pedogenic processes. The fourth part of the b o o k is Chapter 12 which discusses the use of soils in Quaternary stratigraphic studies. Although this subject is adequately treated in this one chapter, that is set aside in c o n t e x t from the rest of the book, this reviewer hopes that scientists and students will n o t be misled and conclude that the only use of knowledge a b o u t " p e d o l o g y " and "weathering" is to apply it to Quaternary stratigraphic studies. Soil geomorphology is more than that! The b o o k closes with t w o brief appendices on data necessary for describing a soil profile and climatic conditions in the United States. R.V. RUHE (Bloomington, Ind.)
The Classification o f Some British Soils According to the Comprehensive System of the United States. J.M. Ragg and B. Clayden. Soil Survey Technical Monograph No. 3. Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, 1973, 227 pp., £1.20. As stated in the Preface the primary aim of this b o o k is to increase understanding of the American soil classification for those mainly familiar with British soils. One or more profiles from Britain have been selected for each American Great Group of importance in the U.K., resulting in a collection of 78 soil profile descriptions with accompanying analytical and micro-morpho-