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CARNIVOROUS PLANTS. THE BODY: SYSTEMS 1981. Stanton Films (2417 Artesia WORKINGTOGETHER. Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278). 1980. Coronet Films (65 East South 16 mm color-sound film. 11 minutes. Street, Chicago, IL 60601). Purchase $165.00. Faith Hickman, Audiovisuals 16 mm color-sound film. 141/2 min- utes. Purchase Editor, selects materials and co- $320.00. This film is noteworthy for its exquisite photography. As the subject progresses ordinates the review process for The introductorypart of this film draws from pitcher plant to cobra lily, cepha- this feature. Cathrine Monson is an analogy between people in a com - lotus to sundew, and Venus fly trap to her assistant.Their continuingcon- munity who are dependent on each bladderwort,we are constantly impressed tributionto the journal is deeply other for specialized services and body Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/44/5/314/39779/4447517.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 by the elaborate leaf modifications that appreciated. cells that are interdependent in their facilitate capture and of "prey." Readers interested in becoming specialized functions. The progression Close-up, time-lapse photography of audiovisual reviewers are invited from cells to tissues, organs, sys- leaf development and capture mechan- to write to Ms. Hickman. General tems, and finally is empha- isms of passive, semi-active, and active inquirieson this feature should also sized. Vivid descriptions of the circula- traps clearly demonstrates how artho- tory, digestive, respiratory, skeletal, be addresseddirectly to herat: pods are lured and captured and nutri- muscular, excretory, nervous, and endo- ents absorbed. Undoubtedly, the visual 833 W. SouthBoulder Road crine systems are included in the pre- appeal of the film will attract the diverse Louisville,CO 80027 sentation. Skin is represented as an organ audience that the producers claim-ele- of and as part of the nervous mentary through adult. system because of the countless sensory The narration, on the other hand, is neurons located just beneath the skin. not appropriate to such a diverse audi- Nevertheless,the filmadmirably explores After mentioning the endocrine system ence. In attempting to explain the bizarre concepts in morphologyat a basic level as the controller of growth and metabo- carnivorous habit, the narrator states suitable to complement primary or lism, a short analysis is given on the that nutrients can be obtained where secondaryschool units on plant diver- reproductive system and gonads. soil is poor and nutrients are scarce. sity. The film makes skillful use of music "Were it not for the 'extra source' (of Anotherstated purpose of the film is and animation. Live action scenes alter- nutrients) these plants would have to "encouragefurther study in related nate with animation to help students probably become extinct long ago." scientificfields." The photographycould relate external activities to internal pro- These oversimplifications border on easily entice open mindsto explorethe cesses. This film could well be used as an inaccuracy and may be misleading. In topic in more detail.The narration,how- introduction to the systems where carnivorous plants are ever,does not adequatelyraise questions for a general course or as a cul- found, there is a preponderance of or providesufficient background to sup- minating activity for a junior high school noncarnivorous plants. By what means plementthe visualmedium to thisend. science course. A very useful do they survive? Of the many avenues The photographyis excellent;even the teacher's guide-which includes a synop- available for assimilating nitrogen in underwater photography of bladder- sis, an outline of the objectives of the habitats like acid bogs, where nitrogen is wort traps is clear. The sound effects film, and questions for discussion- not necessarily scarce but availability seem overplayed,although insect sounds accompanies the film. is restricted, the carnivorous habit is but occasionallyenhance the film.We noted Donna Dwyer one adaptation. For an advanced place- two occasionswhere the pointsstated in East WindsorPublic Schools ment high school or college student narrationdid not coincidewith observed Warehouse Point, Connecticut audience, ecologic and evolutionary events in the film,but these inconsisten- questions of this sort should be explored cies did not seriouslydetract from the in a discussion of carnivorous plants if, film. as the producers intend, one purpose of Overall,we found the filmexceptional the film is to examine the role of leaf in its use of time-lapse photography, THE HUMAN BODY: ENDOCRINE modification in survival. its depiction of trapping mechanisms, SYSTEM. Because these carnivorous plants and its portrayalof diverse forms. We 1980. Coronet Films (65 East South reside in such restrictive habitats, this would recommendthe film as a note- Water Street, Chicago, IL 60601). topic would provide an excellent back- worthy supplement in a primary or 16 mm color-sound film. 15 minutes. ground to reiterate the biologist's plea secondary school or as informative Purchase $330.00. for preservation-an opportun - entertainmentin any environment. ity not exploited by the producers. Ex- DonaldMansfield The film introduces the endocrine citing recent developments in the physi- WilliamRichardson system as coordinator and regulator of ology of insect traps-for example, turgor RichardStorey all body functions. Ductless pro- changes and action potential propagation The Colorado College in Venus flytrap-were omitted entirely. Colorado Springs (Continued on p. 318)

314 THE AMERICANBIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME44, NO.5, MAY1982 Major ecological concepts are pre - Laboratory on sented including diurnal/nocturnal Chemotaxonomy A MUST FOR habitat sharing of related and nonre- lated , and the vertical distribution, ... from p. 310 SCIENCE TEACHERS territoriality,competition, social behavior patterns, anatomical specializations, and GIBBS,R.D. 1974. Chemotaxonomyof diet of lemurs. Detailed social behavior floweringplants. Vols. 1-4. Montreal: patterns are presented, as is the com- McGill-Queen's University Press. plexity of lemur family groups. HAWKES, J.G. (ed.). 1968. Chemo- The film points out that native super- taxonomy and serotaxonomy. Lon- stitions helped to protect lemurs in the don:Academic Press. past, but now economic pressures are LAWRENCE,G.H.M. 1951. Taxonomy causing the destruction of their forest of vascularplants. New York: Mac- habitat. Many species are now extinct millianCo. and others are endangered. MABRY, T.J., TAYLOR, A. and The creative style with which basic TURNER,B.L. 1963. The betacyanins concepts in and ecology are and their distribution.Phytochemistry =~~~~~~~ presented further enhances the quality of this film. The use of unanswered ques- 2:61-64. Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/44/5/314/39779/4447517.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 ., EIFERT, I.F., CHANG, C., tions to strengthen the concepts of origin, MABRY,H., KIDD,C., and BEHNKE, speciation, and adaptation leaves the H.D. 1975. Theligoniaceae:Pigment viewer searching for possible answers. and ultrastructuralevidence which WroeotCmm_ The outstanding photography and exclude it from the order Centro- natural sounds increase viewer percep- spermae. Biochemical Systematics tions of the real problems of the island and Ecology3:53- 55. wildlife. The film makes one feel there, SMITH, P.M. 1976. The chemotax- watching, and being watched. onomyof plants.New York:Elsevier. The film is appropriate for high school SWAIN,T. (ed.). 1963. Chemicalplant biology students only after basic concepts taxonomy.London: Acadmic Press. of evolution and ecology have been pre- . (ed.). 1966. Comparativephyto- sented. The more knowledge a viewer i~~~~~~ _ has about ecology, evolution, zoogeo- chemistry.London: Acadmic Press. IEas iWindo Publi Scol graphy, and behavioral science, the more syoss an ouln ofojcivs n informative the film. I recommend it, without hesitation, for advanced biology classes in high school and evolution, ecology, and zoogeography classes in college. behavioralists would find most of the film applicable. Audiovisual Reviews Tommy A. Rigsby, Sr. ... from p. 314 synopsisWarehouslie PointConnecticutan Abramson Senior High New Orleans duce ,each havingspecialized chemical structures.Starting with the pituitary or master controlling growth,each gland is describedin turn by structure, location, and function. ISLAND OF THE MOON:THE Colorful animationset against human NATURE OF THINGS. body systemsshows how majorglands- 1979. Macmillan Films, Inc. (34 Mac- pituitary,, parathyroid,Islets of Questen Parkway South, Mt. Vernon Langerhans, adrenals, and gonads- NY 10550). 16 mm color-sound film. Erratum release hormonesdirectly into the - 28 minutes. Purchase $375.00; rental streamand coordinatethe body'sinternal $35.00. In the article, "Please Don't Eat the actionsthrough a remarkablesystem of Daisies" by C. Robert Manor [ABT feedback mechanisms. The The film presents a generalized evo- 44(1)] two figures were misidentified. is presented as a part of the endocrine lutionary picture of Malagasy (Mada- Figure 2 should be identified as and digestive system. Homeostasis,the gascar) with specific emphasis on lemurs. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus "steady state" maintained by these The zoogeography is briefly outlined, quinquefolia), not Stinging nettle glands, is stressed throughout.Factors highlighting isolation from the mainland (Urtica dioica). Figure 3 should be such as stress, which can and do affect in the early Tertiary Period (60 million identified as Stinging nettle, not thissystem, are mentioned. years ago) as the major factor in adaptive Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans). Thisis an excellentfilm for any biology radiation. The geography of the island We regret this error and thank S. or class. My students re- allows for a multitude of climatic special- Lane Wilson, Associate Professor at spondedvery well to thisfilm. The music, izations for tropical rainforests,deciduous Drake University for calling the error color,and relevantexamples established forests, grassland, and desert. A moun- to our attention. the right mood and maintainedinterest tain range splits the island east-west throughout. A very useful teacher's producing many of the climatic variations Alan McCormack,editor guide is provided.The guide includesa and acting as a barrierto dispersal.

318 THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 44, NO. 5, MAY 1982