wildlife, such as cleaning up trash and from "real biology" and is unneces- down the hall who were studying sex plastic from waterways where animals sary. However, this book was not attractants of the Syrian golden ham- might ingest it. The fourth section written for biologists, but for nonma- ster, he has devoted much of the last provides a map of the North American jors. Other special boxes and essays 20 years to unraveling mysteries in continent with the endangered and help to place biological information in this intriguing area. threatened areas identified as well as some sort of historical and social con- Discussions of pheromones, as the some specific animal facts. Finally, the text. author points out, can be organized book concludes with a glossary of re- The biological information in the around either messages or organisms. lated vocabulary and an index. book is solid. It has been simplified for He has chosen the latter since he be- I highly recommend this book series nonmajors, but not diluted beyond lieves that for most people, "biological for primary school grades. This series recognition. Difficult topics such as species are more familiar than the sig- presents importantinformation on en- cellular respiration and photosynthe- nals these species use ... This ap- dangered animal species in a positive sis are included for instructors who proach also emphasizes the grand yet realistic and interesting manner. wish to cover them. The technical ter- sweep of diverse living creatures that Young students will enjoy these books minology has been reduced, but not make use of chemical communication" as part of their introduction to science. eliminated. The book is very readable, (p. viii). Lauren Fillmore and is, in fact, interesting to read. The first chapter reviews the begin- Numerous essays and short topics RR#1, Box 120A nings of scientific investigations into should help maintain the interest of on sex Linden, VA 22642 pheromones with the work Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/56/4/255/46623/4449813.pdf by guest on 23 September 2021 the nonmajor students as they read attractants in the female silkworm through the more detailed discussion moth culminating in the identification of biology. of bombykol. This chapter also dis- Besides the topics already men- BIOLOGY cusses some basics of chemistry, such tioned, the author also discusses basic the of volatile as well as chemistry, evolution, energetics and as usefulness Human Biology. By Donald Farish. in different ecology. Such a range of topics would persistent chemicals types (2nd ed.). 1993. Jones and Bartlett of communication, and the effects of Publishers (One Exeter Plaza, make this book suitable for several Boston, in- various functional groups on volatil- MA 02116). 629 pp. Hardback.$47.50. types of undergraduate courses, cluding basic biology courses for non- ity. Some of the biology textbooks majors, human biology courses, and The remaining six chapters proceed for nonmajors on the market lower or introductory human anatomy from microbe to man, from simple to titles today are more books about and physiology courses. complex, with such captivating biology than biology books. Others are as, "Alarms and Allurements," "Co- more ex- Phillip Eichman operation and Deception Among the simplified versions of larger, Rio Grande tensive textbooks and have often lost University of Insects," and "Shifting Functions and something in the "reductionprocess." Rio Grande, OH 45674 Chemical Masquerades." He moves HumanBiology by Donald Farish does from water molds and algae to sea not appear to suffer from such short- anemones, slugs and crabs, and then comings. It is a book written for non- PHEROMONES samples some of the many insect pher- majors by someone who has taught I I omones and goes on to mammals and this particular group of students for other vertebrates. Signals that gather Chemical Communication: The Lan- and scatter, and those that attract many years. guage of Pheromones. By William C. The title of the book might lead one mates, repel enemies, mark territory, to think that a the Agosta. 1992. The Scientific American direct hatching and organize the lives this is book about by W.H. Freeman biology of humans. However, the Library. Distributed of social insects are all discussed. book is not limited to that particular and Co. (41 Madison Ave., New York, In the last chapter, "Human Attrac- species. About a third of the book NY 10010). 179 pp. Cloth $32.95. tions," he arrives at "a question that deals with the anatomy and physiol- This book is an adventure into intrigues us all. What about phero- mones in humans?" (p. 149). With ogy of humans, but it is not an anat- a fascinating world ... the omy and physiology text. It might be J world of chemical communica- precautions about the complexities best described as a biology textbook tion between living organisms. Al- and the paucity of definitive evidence, areas written for nonmajors that uses the though the subject of pheromones has he highlights the status of such in- human organism as a beginning point been intriguing to us sight- and as menstrual synchrony, mother for discussion. This is not the first sound-focused humans since antiq- fant recognition and possible sperm the An textbook by Farish. HumanBiology is, uity, it is only with the advent of attractants produced by egg. however, a completely new book certain recent new technologies (i.e. especially interesting section of this the of the rather than a revision of some earlier gas chromatography, mass spectrom- chapter is that about history and the text. etry) that many of its secrets have been use of perfumes and incense, The book has some unique features revealed. The author, William Agosta, importance of the odoriferous animal civet. He com- not found in many others currently is enthusiastic that "our understand- products musk and available. For example, the first two ing grows broader and deeper all the ments: chapters (approximately 40 pages) time" (p. 160), but also that much Whateverthe original reasonsfor the use contain a discussion of the develop- remains to be explored and discov- of perfumes, our interest in them has ment of biology from the Greek and ered. He is enthusiastic about the in- been thoughtfully nurtured and encour- Roman times, through the Middle terdisciplinary approach that has been aged over the years. Playing on human Ages and Renaissance, and into the necessary to move forward in this anxieties and the universal desire to 19th and 20th centuries. Some instruc- area. Enticed himself from his organic enhance our individual power and at- tors might think that this takes away chemistry research by colleagues tractiveness before an often indifferent

BOOKREVIEWS 255 world,purveyors of perfumethrough the environmentalcost. A carefullyaimed graphs, drawings, close-up photo- ageshave urged upon us theconsiderable magicbullet replaces the sweeping fire of graphs and diagrams, all clearly la- advantagesof smellinggood (p. 155). a machinegun (p. 83). beled with excellent legends. Many examples of actual or possible As an organic chemist, the author Throughout this book, Agosta fo- practical applications of knowledge reflects his "strong aesthetic sense for cuses on the actualscientists who have about pheromones are included. For molecularstructures" by including di- made contributions. He describes the instance, an interesting description is agrams of many compounds, but this details of many of the experiments given of the use of the pheromone, should not deter the less chemically that have lead to discoveries, and of- gossyplure, against the cotton-attack- oriented reader, for as Agosta points ten includes informative diagrams of ing pink bollworm. This is contrasted out, "No particularknowledge of ani- techniques or equipment used. He in- with the significant problems that re- mal behavior, sensory physiology or stills a sense of excitement and real sulted in the heavy use of conven- organicchemistry is requiredto follow tional insecticides in the Southeast respect for these people, not only for the discussion" (p. viii). Although this their innovation, but also for their pa- U.S. in the 1970s and '80s. In conclud- book should be appealing to the gen- ing this discussion Agosta says: tience and persistence, often in the eral reader, it contains enough detail face of initial setbacks. This is, indeed, To manyscientists working to createa and technical informationto be of in- a book that could inspire potential replacementfor conventionalinsecti- terest to scientistsas well. It reads very young scientists, turning them on to cides,pheromonal control of pestsoffers easily, and contains many fascinating science and the fascination of phero- an elegantand intellectuallyappealing facts and clever analogies. To further mones! Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/56/4/255/46623/4449813.pdf by guest on 23 September 2021 solutionto an increasinglyurgent envi- aid the less experienced, an excellent ronmentalproblem. A tiny amountof a glossary, list of further readings and Jayne Hart relativelysimple, natural compound acts index are useful. The volume is also Departmentof Biology against an insect enemy without dis- generously and beautifully illustrated GeorgeMason University ruptingother species or incurringgreat with a wide variety of colorful micro- Fairfax,VA 22030

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256 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 56, NO. 4, APRIL1994