Advances in Genetics Essentials of General Cytology Introduction to Genetics and Cytogenetics

Abstract

These three books attempt to solve the problem of disseminating Information in the rapidly changing fields of genetics and cytology. They do so with varying success. "Advances in Genetics"is a notable experiment. The discussion by Mayr on what epecies mean in Nature is original and should stimulate systematists who have not realized the equally con-struotive and destructive effects of experimental method. Dahlberg's account of human population deals with more familiar ideas. Sears on wheat and Heston on cancer have given practical and useful summaries. Catcheside on radiations is comprehensivo but, it seems, indecisivo on fundament. Hughes Schrader on the eoccids is not quite new enough or genetic enough for such a book. Caspari on cyto-plasmic inheritance covers very fully the work on Epilobium by Michaelis and Lehmann, and on Oenothem by Schwemmle. These are analytieally the least final parts of the story, and they remain as confused as ever. Such a volume is of some value to a few workers. If care were taken to secure coherent summaries and critical arguments from the reviewers, it would be of much value to many workers. Advances in Genetics Vol. 2. Edited by M. Demerec. Pp. viii+373. (New York: Academic Press, Inc.; London: H. K. Lewis and Co., Ltd., 1948.) 7.50 dollars. Essentials of General Cytology By Dr. R. A. R. Gresson, including 4 Chapters on Plant Cytology, by Helena Heslop Clark. (Edinburgh University Publications: Science and Mathematics, No. 2.) Pp. ix+184. (Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd, Ltd., 1948.) 21s. net. Introduction to Genetics and Cytogenetics By Herbert Parkes Riley. Pp. xii+596. (New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1948.) 30s. net.