84 Nature Vol. 270 3 November 1977 loose pages. In the two fields of viro­ wide or high enough. Perhaps fewer logy and cell culture the speed of methods, just as examples, but a much advance of methods is very fast, much deeper and wider discussion on the Resource and faster than that of ideas. Thus, a current problems of virology and on Environmental manual on methods requires contin­ how those methods contributed to uous updating. solving them, would have made the Sciences Series Even the short time between going book more stimulating. The student is to press and publication has had this much more helped by making him General Editors: Sir Alan undesirable effect. Two examples: the interested enough to look up the Cottrell FRS and Professor by pro­ procedures for cell fusion stop at the literature on procedures than T. R. E. Southwood FRS (doubtfully practical) use of lysole­ viding him with ready-made recipes of cithin (1972); that is, before the intro­ very short half-life. As it is, this book duction of polyethyleneglycol; and in will be more valuable as a source of A new series of texts the section on "Macromolecular references in the libraries of research catering for the needs of the Analysis", sequencing of viral DNA laboratories than as a laboratory growing number of students genomes by means of restriction endo­ manual at the bench, or as reading for taking environmental nucleases is not even mentioned. postgraduate students. science courses at university This book thus falls between two G. Pontecorvo and providing excellent stools. As a manual on methods it is, reference for A-level inevitably, already outdated in parts G. Pontecorvo recently retired as a mem­ ber of the research staff at the l mperial students. and will very soon become extensively Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, so. As a general survey of viruses as London, UK, and is now Honorary Con­ The series will provide a probes for cell biology its aim is not sultant Geneticist there. range of basic texts on environmental biology, tion .is given briefly to the fate of sur­ chemistry, ecology, Mammalian plus spermatozoa in the female tract economics and physics, and their interaction with somatic cells, recognising that students fertilisation and to the results of recent work on will enter their degree mechanisms parthogenesis. There is also an Epi­ studies with widely varying logue in which the author indicates scientific backgrounds. Fertilization Mechanisms in Man and directions for future research. Mammals. By Ralph B. L. Gwatkin. chapters, particular In the relevant in Pp.x+ 161. (Plenum: New York and attention is given to the exploration The main group of books London, 1977.) $21. of the surface properties of gametes the series will then build on using lectins and other agents, and the this foundation. FERTILIZATION is intrinsically a tre­ close study of the successive stages of mendously important process, marking interaction of egg and spermatozoon as it does the union of male and female which betoken different orders of res­ The first two titles in the gametes, the recombination of their ponse. A good deal of mystery still series are: genetic loads, and the initiation of the attaches to these processes and this in new individual. Only in comparatively itself should serve as a powerful stimu­ recent times, however, have various lus to further research. A fascinating Energy Resources aspects of fertilisation in mammals be­ feature of this phase of fertilisation J. T. McMullan, R. Morgan of come susceptible to direct experimenta­ lies in the apparent duplication and R. B. Murray tion. The earlier work was con­ gamete properties and faculties, which sequently restricted largely to non­ denotes a curious limitation in the Publication November mammalian forms, notably the marine forms of substrate on which the influ­ Paper £3.50 invertebrates. This area of investigation ence of evolution has had to operate. has continued to be most productive The consolation for the biologist lies and is now experiencing a recrud­ in the possibility of drawing useful in­ escence of research interest, which, ferences from what can be regarded Environmental together with studies based on the new as complementary patterns. capablities in the handling of mam­ The book is written in a clear con­ Economics malian gametes, is yielding a wealth cise style and bears the authoritative An Introduction for of new information. The time is ripe stamp of an active and highly pro­ Students of the Resource investigator in the field. The for an up-to-date and critical collation ductive and Environmental Sciences of published data from both mam­ wide range of the author's acqaintance malian and non-mammalian sources. with the literature is evident through­ Gwatk.in's book goes a long way to out the text and in the extensive list Sir Alan Cottrell FRS meeting this challenge and should cer­ of references provided. Publication January tainly fill a need. The book can be warmly recom­ Paper £1.95 Chapters in the book deal with the mended to all those involved in development and properties of the research on gamete physiology and gametes, their transport in the female fertilisation, in non-mammals as well tract, fertilisation in vitro, sperm as mammals, and as an essential source capacitation, the acrosome reaction, of information and ideas for advanced sperm penetration of the zona pellu­ students of medical and biological cida, sperm- egg fusion, the defence sciences. C. R. Austin Edward Arnold against polyspermy, pronucleus forma­ C. R. Austin is Charles Darwin Professor 25 Hill Street, London tion and the metabolic events detected of Animal Embryology at the University WlX 8LL during fertilisation. Additionally, atten- of Cambridge, UK. Clrcle No. 17 on Reader Enquiry Carel. © 1977 Nature Publishing Group