PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN

A Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc.

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 3, JUNE, 1984

EMANUEL D. RUDOLPH. Rudolph, Editor
Department of Botany
Ohio State University
1735 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 422-8952

Editorial Board
Roy H. Saigo - University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI 54701
John H. Thomas - Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
Anitra Thorhaug - Florida International University, Key Biscayne, FL 33199

The Plant Science Bulletin is published six times a year, February, April, June, August, October, and December, at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Subscriptions $10.00/yr. Change of address should be sent to Editor. Second class postage paid at Columbus, OH.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANNUAL MEETING ACTIVITIES
SYMPOSIUM PROPOSALS FOR 1985 ANNUAL MEETING
NOTICES
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
MEETINGS AND COURSES
PERSONS
DEATHS
RECENT BOTANICAL BOOKS
BOOK REVIEWS

ANNUAL MEETING ACTIVITIES

Botanical Society Booth: The Society will have an information booth in the exhibit area during the AIBS meetings at Fort Collins. In addition to information about the Society, the teaching sections' slide exchange will be located in the booth. Vo1unteers are needed to help man the booth from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Wednesday: We would especially invite past and present officers of the Society to consider volunteering one or two hours during the meetings because you would be the most effective spokespersons for the Society. If you would like to help, please contact Dr. Lee Kass, Natural Sciences, Elmira College, Elmira, NY 14901 by July 15.

Slide Exchange: In addition to the 11 slide sets offered last year, two new sets have been compiled; Plant anatomy and insect defense mechanisms. The collection will be available for preview in the Botanical Society Booth and order forms will be provided. If you have 2X2 transparencies which you would like to have considered for inclusion in the slide exchange, please send them to Dr. Marsh Sundberg, Department of Biology, U.W.E.C., Eau Claire, WI 54701, by July 15. All original slides are returned to the owners.

Botanical Workshops: Just a reminder that the workshops are on a first come - first served basis. If you want to be assured of a place, send in your pre-registration now. Registration forms may be found in the AIBS information pamphlet or the March issue of BioScience.

 SYMPOSIUM PROPOSALS FOR 1985 ANNUAL MEETING

BSA members are invited to submit symposium proposals for the next Annual Meeting in Gainesville, Florida, 11-15 August, 1985. Complete the form below by 1 August 1984, attach a symposium explanation of about 200 words, a list of tentative speakers and their topics and send to: David Di1cher, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 033, Bloomington, IN 47405.

All proposals are subject to review by a BSA Section. It is advised that a copy of the abstract be sent to a BSA Section secretary at the same time the original is sent to the BSA Program Director.

TARGET DEADLINES Early September: Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance of your symposium in the 1985 program. - Early November: Preliminary programs with confirmed speakers due. - Mid-February: Final program copy due.
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Name (s)  _____________________________________________________________________________

Phone:  _______________________________________________________________________________

Address:  ______________________________________________________________________________

Symposium Title:  _______________________________________________________________________

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BSA Section Sponsoring symposium:  _______________________________________________________

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NOTICES

An Award for the support of Botanical Research in New England:
The New England Botanical Club is offering an award of $1,000 in support of botanical research to be conducted in the New England Region during 1985. The award will be given to the graduate student submitting the best research proposal focusing on the New England flora. Priority will be given to proposals dealing with field studies in systematic botany and plant ecology, but proposal for research in other areas of botany will also be considered. This award is not limited to graduate students at New England institutions. The NEBC’s support must be acknowledged in any publications resulting from this study. It is encouraged that papers based on this research be submitted to Rhodora, the club's journal, for possible publication - subject to standard review processes. The New England Botanical Club hopes to be able to make this award on an annual basis.

Applicants should submit a proposal of no more than three double spaced pages, including a budget (the budget will not affect the amount of the award), and their Curriculum Vitae. Two letters, one from the student's major professor, in support of the proposed research are also required. Proposals and supporting letters should be sent before 28 February 1985 to: Awards Committee, The New England Botanical Club, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02183. The recipient of the award will be notified by 30 April 1985.

Current Citation Service of Association of Systematic Collections:
"Current Titles in the Biological Sciences" is now in its second year of publication. The coverage of botanical literature is extensive. In 1983, 263 journals were scanned for citations and approximately 8000 biological titles were published giving author addresses and indexing by subject. A special price offer is available to individuals subscribing to the first two volumes 1983 & 1984. For further information write to: Dr. John Richard Schrock, Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045.

Smithsonian Foreign Currency Program:
The Smithsonian Foreign Currency Program, a national research grants program, offers opportunities for support of research in Burma, Guinea, India, and Pakistan in systematic and environmental biology. Grants in the local currencies of the above listed countries are awarded to American institutions for the research of senior scientists. Collaborative programs involving most country institutions are welcome. Awards are determined on the basis of competitive scholarly review. The deadline for submission is November 1 annually. For further information write: Foreign Currency Program, Office of Fellowships and Grants, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, 202/287-3321.

Disease Resistant American Elm:
The American Liberty elm the first true, totally American elm to be remarkably Dutch elm disease resistant and to closely resemble its disease-prone relatives is soon to become available. The Elm Research Institute is so confident of its new species' disease resistance that it warranties all its trees for ten years. The Institute has initiated its "Johnny Elmseed" program to find and computerize the exact locations of all mature elms in the entire nation. In return for finding and reporting such a live American elm, The Elm Research Institute will send one free American Liberty elm seedling to the persons reporting its exact street location and owner identification. Further information on any aspect of these programs may be obtained by writing the Elm Research Institute, Harrisville, NH 03450, 603/827-3048.

BIOSIS North American Training Seminars:
The BioSciences Information Service has many free training seminars. A schedule can be obtained at their booth at the Annual Meeting or by writing them at: 2100 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-1399.

New Coastal Sciences Journal:
Starting in May 1984, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company will publish a new quarterly journal, "Litoralia: An International Journal of Coastal Research". This journal is the first of its kind in North America to take a look at coastal science on an interdisciplinary basis. In order to address the complexity of coastal biophysical and socioeconomic interactions, professionals in related fields are encouraged to submit manuscripts to be published in Litoralia. Contributions should be original studies dealing with interdisciplinary elements of coastal science and environmental issues involving theory, methodology, applied science, and case studies. The Editor-in-Chief is Charles W. Finkl, Ph.D., Center for Coastal Research, P.O. B. 2473, Colee Station, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303, 305/564-5049.

Botanical Garden Newsletters:
A few newsletters coming to the Editor recently are: "Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin" in its 72nd volume, published seven times a year for $12.00 available from: Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166; and "The Sarah P. Duke Gardens Flora" number 7 available from the

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Blooming of We1witschia mirabilis:
This vegetable prodigy is rarely cultivated in the United States and even more rarely has been known to "bloom." Our two surviving plants, now about 25 years old, bloomed synchronously in 1983, and fortunately proved to be staminate and ovulate. Hand pollination of the pollination droplets of the single ovulate cone was successful, and the cone produced about 30 seeds. Five of these were planted individually in sand and three have germinated. Some of the remainder are available to institutions desiring them. Richard W. Poh1, Department of Botany, Iowa Sate University, Ames, IA 50011.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

(All positions are by affirmative action/equal opportunity employers.)

Plant Developmental Biology at Illinois:
The Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level for appointment by 21 August, 1985 or earlier. Applicants should have a Ph.D. with research experience in the control of plant cell growth and differentiation. The appointee will be expected to conduct research in the above area and to contribute to the graduate and undergraduate teaching programs. His or her interests should complement those of the existing members of the plant physiology and molecular biology programs in the department. Salary is open, depending on the applicant's qualifications. Send by 31 August, 1984 a curriculum vitae, a summary of research interests and at least three letters of reference to: Dr. Colin A. Wraight, Search Committee Chairman, Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801; 217/333-3245 or 333-3261.

Assistant Researcher at UC Irvine:
Assistant Researcher, University of California salary level III ($27,400 per year), to assume primary responsibility for a taro improvement project involving seed germination, tissue culture, selection for salinity tolerance in vitro and in seedling populations, physiological and morphological characterization of tissues and plants and development of protoplast culture methods. Position may involve travel and 2-3 month work periods overseas. Interest in, knowledge of, and/or experience with the Araceae are essential. Familiarity with orchid physiology and tissue culture is desirable. Candidate may be asked occasionally to lecture as a substitute for the Principal Investigator in General Botany and Plant Physiology courses. Application must include a curriculum vitae, list of publications, and the names of three people who can be contacted as references. Please send applications 'by August I, 1984 to: Dr. Joseph Arditti, Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92717.

Biotechnology at Illinois:
Graduate Student Assistantships and Post-doctoral Research Associateships are available in the SOHIO-University of Illinois Center of Excellence in Crop Molecular Genetics and Genetic engineering, funded in part by a grant from the Standard Oil Company of Ohio. The Center concentrates on biotechnology of major crop plants, particularly maize and soybeans. Expertise is available within the Center in genetic engineering, molecular biology, genetics, cytogenetics, plant taxonomy, germp1asm resources and utilization, tissue culture, biochemistry, plant reproductive biology, and plant breeding. Interested persons may contact: Dr. C. M. Brown, Acting Head; Department of Agronomy; University of Illinois, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, 217/333-3420.

Fellowships at the Smithsonian:
The Smithsonian Institution offers fellowships in residence to support independent research and study in fields which are actively pursued by the various bureaus of the Institution. Individuals are selected competitively and are appointed to work under the guidance of professional staff members and to use the collections and facilities of the Smithsonian. The Institution does not generally support work to be done at other institutions. It does not offer courses nor does it award degrees. Six to twelve month pre- and postdoctoral fellowship appointments and ten week graduate student appointments are awarded. Proposals for research in Ecological, Behavioral and Environmental Studies - Tropical and Temperature Zones; Evolutionary and Systematic Biology; and Radiation Biology may be submitted.

An applicant must offer a specific and detailed research proposals and must indicate clearly why the Smithsonian is an especially appropriate place to conduct the work proposed. The primary objective of the fellowships is to further the research training of scholars and scientists in the early stages of their professional careers. Predoctoral fellowships are offered to students who have completed preliminary course work and examinations and are researching the dissertation. Postdoctoral fellowships are generally offered to scholars who have recently completed

PAGE TWENTY

the doctoral degree. In addition, for 1984-1985, a few awards will be available for more senior postdoctoral applicants. Candidates without the Ph.D. but with the equivalent in experience, accomplishment and training may be considered. Graduate student applicants must be enrolled in a program of graduate study and have completed a minimum of one academic semester at the time the appointment begins. Stipends supporting awards are: $18,000 per year plus allowances for postdoctoral fellows; $11,000 per year plus allowances for predoctoral fellows; and $2,000 for graduate students for the ten week period of appointment. Stipends and allowances for pre- and postdoctoral awards are prorated on a monthly basis for periods of less than one year.

For applications which are due January 15 each year and more information about all Smithsonian fellowships, including the publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study, which describes the Institution' s bureaus and facilities and lists the professional staff and their research interests, please write to: Office of Fellowships and Grants, Smithsonian Institution, L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 3300, Washington, D.C. 20560, 202/287-3271.

MEETINGS AND COURSES

Plasmid Workshop:
The Society for Industrial Microbiology will offer a two-day intensive workshop on "Plasmids in Biotechnology: Isolation and Applications" on 11-12 August 1984, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The workshop is being organized by Dr. George A. Somkuti (Eastern Regional Research Center - USDA, Philadelphia, PA - phone: 215/233- 6474). The teaching faculty, Drs. B. Chassy (NIH), D. Cork (Illinois Inst. Tech.), P. Evans (Purdue Univ.), K. Kasweck (Florida Inst. Tech.), G. Piece (Battelle Memorial Inst.), and George Somkuti (ERRC), will conduct procedures on plasmid isolation from different sources, electrophoretic analysis, clonging with plasmid vectors, and nick translation and hybridization procedures. Registration is limited to 80 participants. For additional information and registration forms, contact: Ann Kulback, SIM, c/o AIBS, 1401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209. Phone: 703/256-0337.

Plant Disease Conference:
An International Conference on the Molecular Basis of Plant Disease will be held 19-23 August 1984 at the University of California, Davis. For information write: Carroll Miller, Dean's Office, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, 916/752-6435.

Paleoenvironmental Conference:
The 7th York Quaternary Symposium will be held at The University of Lethbridge, August 21-23, 1985. A three day post-conference field trip is planned for August 24-26. The conference theme will be The Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Late Wisconsin Deglaciation and the Holocene, and will be organized in the following sessions: 1. The Post-Glacial Geostratigraphic Record; 2. Paleoecology and Biostratigraphy; 3. Paleoclimatology and Paleohydrology; 4. Paleopedology; and 5. Field Trip. If you are interested in presenting a paper in one of the sessions please contact: Dr. R. W. Barendregt, Quarternary Symposium, Department of Geography, The University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1K 3M4.

Tree Conference:
The 1985 Trees for Nebraska Conference will be held February 14-16 in Lincoln, Nebraska. All scientists working on any aspect of woody plant research are invited to submit titles for presentation of papers. This year we are especially interested in topics that relate to the 50th Anniversary of the Great Plains Prairie State Project for planting windbreaks, for oral presentations, and new cultivars that have been developed, to be displayed as poster sessions. Please submit your title(s) (indicate whether it is an oral or poster presentation), author's name(s) and address (es), plus a two to three sentence summary of the work by September 1, 1984 to: Dr. Ellen T. Paparozzi, 377 Plant Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583- 0724. Final drafts of the text of the paper will be due November 2, 1984 and will be published in the Conference Papers for the Trees for Nebraska 1985 Conference.

Biometeorology Conference:
The Seventh Conference on Biometeorology and Aerobiology, sponsored by the American Meteorological Society, will be held in April /May 1985 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will include sessions on aerobiology (encompassing modelling, phytopathological, palynological and microbiological aspects), physiological ecology, and the effects of weather and climate on plants and animals. Titles and short abstracts (200-300 words), typed double spaced, should be sent no later than 1 November 1984 to: Kyaw Tha Paw U, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California at Davis, Davis, California 95616, 916/752-1501.

Poplar Conference:
On October 1-4, 1984 the Seventeenth Session of the International Poplar Commission, will meet at the Westin Hotel, Ottawa,

PAGE TWENTY-ONE

Canada. Contact: Dr. Robert Gambles, Executive Secretary, Poplar Council of Canada, c/o O.M.N.R. Maple, Ontario L0J 1E0 for information.

White Cedar Symposium:
The Society of Wetlands Scientists, Eastern Region will host the Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands Symposium, October 9-11, 1984 at the Marine Biological laboratory, Woods Hole, MA. For further information contact: Dr. Aim1ee Laderman, P.O. Box 689, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 617/548-5618.

PERSONS

Dr. Sydney S. Greenfield, Professor of Botany and founder of the Botany Department at the Newark Campus of Rutgers University is retiring after 38-1/2 years at that Campus. Dr. Greenfield was one of the founders of Plant Science Bulletin and of the Committee on Education of the Botanical Society of America. As Professor Emeritus, he will stay on at Rutgers-Newark and continue to teach his renowned course in Economic Botany.

DEATHS

Dr. Hiroshi Tamiya, a corresponding member of the Botanical Society of America died of heart failure on 20 March 1984 in Tokyo. The farewe11 service was performed on April 7 in the Mejiro Church in Tokyo.

Dr. Leon I. Cohen, an emeritus member of the faculty of the SUNY College at Cortland died on 31 March 1984 at the age of 67.

Dr. Benedict A. Hall, an emeritus member of the faculty of the SUNY College at Cortland died on 3 April 1984 at the age of 77. He had done research on maple morphology and evolution.

RECENT BOTANICAL BOOKS

Long, S. P. and C. F. Mason. Saltmarsh Ecology. Blackie and Son, distributed by Methuen, Inc., 733 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017. Tertiary level Biology, 1983. viii + 160 p., illus. ISBN 0-412-00301-5; 0-412-00311-2 paper. $35.00; $16.95 paper. (An introduction to the important coastal ecosystems of the world that emphasizes the dynamics of those in North America and Western Europe.)

Mabberley, D. J. Tropical Rain Forest Ecology. B1ackie and Son, distributed by Methuen, 733 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017, Tertiary level Biology, 1983. xi + 156 p., illus. ISBN 0-412-00431-3; 0-412-00441-0 paper. $38.00; $18.95 paper. (An introduction for advanced undergraduates to the rich biological and human problems of the tropics.)

Mantell, S. H. and H. Smith, eds. Plant Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, 32 East 57th St., New York, NY 10022, 1983. xii + 334 p., illus. ISBN 0-521-24550-8. $69.50. (State of the art and potential aspects of biotechnology of plants are considered in five categories: production of commercially useful compounds by plant cell cultures; plant propagation by tissue culture; germ plasm maintenance and storage; in vitro approaches to the genetic manipulation of plants; and genetic engineering of higher plants.)

Martin, E. Stephen, Maria E. Donkin, and R. Andrew Stevens. Stomata. Edward Arnold, 300 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21202, Studies in Biology no. 155, 1983. iv + 60 p. ISBN 0-7131-2868-2. $8.95 paper. (An introduction to the various morphological, physiologica1, and ecological aspects of stomata.

The New Mexico Native Plant Protection Advisory Committee. A Handbook of Rare and Endemic Plants of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 1983. xvii + 291 p., illus. ISBN 0-8263-0722-1; 0-8263-0723-X paper. $24.95; $12.95 paper. (Written for the amateur or professional, 137 species in 32 families are described, illustrated, and mapped, in addition to information on habitat, threats, similar species, cirtica1 remarks, and selected literature.)

Northington, David K. and J. R. Goodin. The Botanical World. C. V. Mosby Co., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141, 1984. xviii + 647 + 20 + 29 p., illus. ISBN 0-60l6-1893-2. $27.95. (An introductory text that is not encyclopedic, but rather approaches plants from the community first, then works through various other levels and to various groups, and ends with applied aspects of botany.)

Perkins, James A., ed. International Dimensions of Private Domestic Institutions. Internationa1 Council for Educational Development, distributed by Interbook, Inc., 611 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, n.d. (1983). iii + 67 p. paper (no price given). (The chapter on the New York Botanical Garden by James M. Hester and Michael J. Ba1ick describes its international aspects.)

Pierceall, Gregory M. Residential landscapes; Graphics, Planning, and Design. Reston Publishing Co., 11480 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston, VA 22090, 1984. xii + 468 p., illus. ISBN 0-8359-6656-9. $22.95. (A reference for individuals involved in the design and development of p1antings for residential sites.)

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Pritchard, Hayden N. and Patricia T. Bradt. Biology of Nonvascular Plants. C. V. Mosby Co., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141, 1984. 550 p., illus. ISBN 0-8016-4043-1. $28.95. (A general introduction to the classification, structure, reproduction, physiology, evolution, ecology and economic importance of the algae, fungi, lichens and bryophytes.)

Ray, Peter M., Taylor A. Steeves and Sara A. Fultz, with the assistance of Mark Jacobs. Botany. Saunders College Publishing, 383 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017, 1983. xiv + 783 p., illus. ISBN 0-03-089942-7. no price given. (A cell to community introduction to plants and plant-like organisms with many fine illustrations.)

Teas, H. J., ed. Biology and Ecology of Mangroves. Dr. W. Junk BV Publishers, P.O. Box 13713, 2501 ES The Hague, The Netherlands, 1983. [ix] + 188 p., illus. ISBN 90-6193=948-8. $64.00. (Volume 8 of Tasks for Vegetation Science is the results of a Second International Symposium on the Biology and Management of Mangroves held in New Guinea in 1980 and reproduces papers dealing with various ecological and environmental topics.)

Wilkins, Malcolm B., ed. Advanced Plant Physiology. Pitman Publishing, Inc. c/o Mercedes Book Distributors, Inc., 160 Imlay St., Brooklyn, NY 11231, 1984. xii + 514 p. ISBN 0-273-01853-1. No price given. (A multi-authored survey that considers: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, inhibitors, ethylene, apical dominance, phototropism, gravitropism, nastic movements, circadian rhythms, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, translocation, water relations, ionic relations, phytochrome, photomorphogenesis, juvenility, photoperiodism and vernalization; germination and dormancy, and senescence and abscission.)

Barnes, R. S. K., ed. A Synoptic Classification of Living Organisms. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, MA 01375- 0407, 1984. ix + 273 p., illus. ISBN 087843-048-5. $11.50 paper. (Within the five kingdom scheme this work provides a working classification reflecting balanced phylogenetic affinities to the order level with concise description of each taxon and simple line drawings of some of them.)

Bernard, Ne1ton, T. Wildflowers Along Forest and Mesa Trails. Illustrations by Dan Godfrey. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM 87131, 1984. xiv + 177 p. ISBN 0-8263-0730-2. $9.95 paper. (Intended for the amateur this work treats eighty upland flowering plants arranged to make it easy to use, and to provide identifying descriptions as well as interesting ethno-botanical facts.)

Grant, William F., ed. Plant Biosystematics. Academic Press Canada, 55 Barber Greene Rd., Don Mills, Ont. M3C 2A1, 1984. 684 p. ISBN 0-12-295680-X. $49.50 U.S. (The proceedings of a symposium held at McGill University in July 1983.)

Stearn, William T. Botanical Latin, History, Grammar, Syntax, Terminology and Vocabulary. 3rd ed. David and Charles, North Pomfret, VT 05053, 1984. xiv + 566 p., i1lus. ISBN 0-7153-8548-8. $32.00. (A slight revision of a standard and most useful work for anyone reading about or writing about plants.)

Wool house, H. W., ed. Advances in Botanical Research. Vol. 10. Academic Press, Inc., 24-28 Oval Rd., London NW1 7DX, England, 1983. x + 306 p., illus. ISBN 0-12-005910-X. $65.00. (This volume contains two extensive reviews: Light-harvesting processes in algae by A. W. D. Larkum and Jack Barrett; and effects of nutrient stress on susceptibility of plants to disease with particular reference to the trace elements by Robin D. Graham. A 29 page index makes this volume more useful.)

Youdeowei, Anthony and Mike W. Service, eds. Pest and Vector Management in the Tropics with Particular Reference to Insects, Ticks, Mites and Snails. Longman, 1560 Broadway. New York, NY 10036, 1983. xv + 399 p., illus. ISBN 0-582-46348-3. $45.00 (A multi-authored treatment that considers pests of crops as well as disease vectors of humans and animals in the tropics and the practical and environmentally acceptable control methods.)

BOOK REVIEWS

Landmarks of Botanical History by Edward Lee Greene. Edited by Frank N. Egerton with contributions by Robert P. McIntosh and Rogers McVaugh. 2 vols. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA 94305, 1983. x + 505; [v] + 506-1139 p., illus. ISBN 0-8047-1075-9 $100.00.

Edward Lee Greene's controversial taxonomy continues to interest relatively few, however his useful, long out-of-print, Landmarks of Botanical History part I originally published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1909 has constantly been one of the best sources in English of information about the botany of

PAGE TWENTY-THREE

the ancient Greeks and Romans and the German herbalists. Upon his death in 1915 Greene left almost completed a second part of his history that considered the later Italian and French students of plants. Now after many years, with expert editing and annotating by Frank N. Egerton, both parts are published. A bonus is the introductory essay on Greene the man by Robert P. McIntosh and Greene the botanist by Rogers McVaugh. The two volumes, with three supplementary essays by Egerton, provide a good history of botany from ancient times to the predessors of Linnaeus, mainly omitting the English contributors. The organization is mostly focused on individual contributors whose work is analyzed and extensively quoted or paraphrased. The editor's notes amplify Greene's references to and the reader in finding written materials including current ones. The Hunt Institute which supported the research, the editor who did it, and the press which published it with many useful illustrations are to be congratulated.
Emanuel D. Rudolph

Plant Tissue Culture: Theory and Practice. By S. S. Bhojwani and M. K. Razdan. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam. 1983. ISBN 0-444-42164-5.

The last 25 years have witnessed the maturation of the technique of plant tissue culture and during the last 10 years plant tissue culture has been invigorated by interest in the genetic engineering of plants. Since this has resulted in an increase in the number of books dealing with tissue culture methodology, the needs for yet another book on the same subject can be questioned. The stated purpose of Bhojwani and Razdan in writing this book is to "produce an introductory text for students that would cover both theoretical and practical aspects (of tissue culture) in an integrated manner." However, since so little is different in the treatments provided in the various books on tissue culture currently in the market, the challenge to a reviewer of a new book on this subject is formidable.

The Bhojwani-Razdan book is one of the few books on plant tissue culture not derived from a conference or from a collection of articles. It covers a range of topics in tissue culture. In the first Chapter, the authors have taken a historical perspective, embellished with portraits of some of the leaders in the field. This is followed by two Chapters relating to laboratory requirements and medium preparation for starting tissue culture investigations. Much of the materials in these two Chapters have been available for some time in slightly different forms in other publications and so the value of these Chapters is questionable. The next 13 Chapters deal with such familiar topics as cell culture and totipotency, somatic embryogenesis, production of hapliods and triploids, cytogenetic studies of cultured tissues, in vitro pollination, embryo and protoplast culture, somatic hybridization, production of pathogen-free plants, clonal propagation and germ plasma conservation. A glossary of terms used in tissue culture lore, a bibliography of about 80 pages, and a very complete author, subject and plant name index conclude the volume.

This is by far the most comprehensive book on plant tissue culture that I have seen and few publications in this field can compare to this book in terms of subject matter covered and literature surved. The book clearly leaves the impression that far from being a tool for laboratory exercise or research, tissue culture methods have accounted for considerable progress in our understanding of the basic aspects of plant growth and development. Much of the emphasis in the book is on the control of differentiation in cells, tissues and organs of plants with the unifying theme throughout that each has used tissue culture methods. Protocol for experiments, where necessary, are given in small type towards the end of the Chapters. The treatments presented in the various Chapters are up-to-date, or as up-to-date as one can expect, considering the time lag between submission of the manuscript and publication.

I have two points of criticism about the book. One is that due to the need to digest the massive amount of available information, the review of some subject areas has become cursory. Many advanced students, teachers and researchers need a more extensive discussion of the topics than is given in the book. Second, several Chapters are heavily laden with long tables or appendices, which list names of plants, medium composition, references and other details relevant to the theme of the Chapter. While this serves to make the survey comprehensive in terms of literature coverage, a price has been paid in that a critical assessment of the more significant contributions is lacking. What may also be missing is some connective overview concerning the accomplishments of tissue culture methodology in the study of plant growth and development.

Overall, the book is a fine achievement for Drs. Bhojwani and Razdan. It also serves the authors' avowed purpose of integrating the theoretical and practical aspects of plant tissue culture. If you like a text and a laboratory manual on plant tissue culture combined, this is obviously a book to be considered seriously. The price is not given

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on the book, but I suspect that for U.S. buyers it should be in the three-figures.
V. Raghavan, Department of Botany, The Ohio State University