Sierra Nevada Natural History. by Tracey L. Storer; Robert R. UsingerReview by: J. L. HarleyNew Phytologist, Vol. 63, No. 1 (Mar., 1964), p. 131Published by: Wiley on behalf of the New Phytologist TrustStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2429279 .

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Reviews 13 I Sierra Nevada Natural History. By TRACEY L. STORER and ROBERT R. USINGER. 7- X 5 in.

PP. V+374 with 24 plates in colour and 65 plates of figures. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. I963. Price 52S.

This book is for the traveller and visitor to the Sierra Nevada and for the holidaymakers who flock to its many National Parks. Indeed, like the familiar 'Observers Books', the high standard of which it exceeds, it is for all those who wish to name the common plants and animals they meet and to learn something of their ecology.

The Introduction of forty-four pages begins with a description of the terrain, its topography, climate, geology and history. There then follows a short but very informative account of plant and animal distribution, including a description of life zones and major ecological habitats. Man's past and present influence is stressed.

The remainder of the book consists of descriptions of plants and animals arranged for easy identification by amateurs. The inconspicuous invertebrates and cryptogams as well as water plants, grasses and sedges receive very cursory treatment. The gymnosperms and angiosperms- grouped under 'Wild Flowers', 'Shrubs' and 'Trees'-the mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and butterflies are well covered.

A most attractive feature of the book is the illustrations. These are admirable whether they be maps, line-figures, black and white photographs or coloured plates and they greatly add to its value.

This is indeed the kind of book which will encourage interest in many plants and animals and make efforts to conserve natural things easier. The price is low and the book is more than worth the money.

J. L. HARLEY

Croissance et Developpement des Plantes. By LUCIE KOFLER. 91 x 6 in. Pp. z34 with 12I text-figures. Paris: Gauthier-Villars. I963. Price 25F or $5.

The undergraduate reader with a working knowledge of French will find this book a useful introduction to plant growth and development. Professor Kofler has divided her subject-matter into three sections: the first section is a general description of the growth responses of plants, the second deals with plant growth substances, and the third with more specialized aspects of plant growth; plant tumours, dormancy, vernalization and photoperiodism.

The first section opens with an exposition of the kinetics of growth, using bacterial populations and coleoptiles to illustrate the arguments and moving on to discuss the structure and function of primary and secondary meristems. The treatment is not so detailed as perhaps it might be, for example the writer omits to mention the quiescent centre of root meristems. The remainder of this section is concerned with general descriptions of, and factors affecting, stem and root growth and regeneration of tissues. The second section deals with auxins and other plant growth substances. The development of auxin lore is explained and the classical theories discussed. One of the merits of this book is that it describes some of the more recent hypotheses concerned with the explanation of growth correlations. The writer's treatment of the mechanism of action of auxin is cautious but clear, which is as well considering that the work is written for under- graduates making their first real acquaintance with plant growth regulation. However, a criti- cism can be made in that the author, whilst dwelling at length on auxins, deals with other plant growth substances too briefly.

Plant tumours, dormancy, vernalization and photoperiodism are amongst topics given pro- minence in the last section, which is concluded by a chapter on techniques relating to the main- tenance of controlled environments.

A pleasing feature for students of agriculture and horticulture is that Professor Kofler frequently mentions the practical applications of the knowledge obtained by the study of plant growth.

This book, a paperback which has an elegant cover, and is well illustrated throughout with simple, self-explanatory diagrams, fulfils its purpose admirably and provides, for the under- graduate at a junior level, the necessary background to the understanding of plant growth phenomena.

D. R. THOMAS

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