biology. The possibilities are limitless! Another The first discussion in the January issue of great use for video tape is in lab testing. The ABT mentioned the inherent dangers in TV teacher usually sets up stations with question whether produced by an educational station or cards and numbered "flags"in the specimens, in the school. A prime danger is letting the but now it is possible to do a better job via burden of teaching fall to another. The teacher- video tape. For example, in testing frog dis- student relationshipis extremelyimportant. Any section, we use a large, injected bull frog. The except in-classroom TV eliminates the face to white latex makes the vessels stand out under face rapport of the conventional classroom, the TV almost like a diagram. With the magnifica- teacher's awareness that the class is not "get- tion of TV, even the most minute part is plainly ting it," and the opportunity to immediately visible to all students. This eliminates the re-teach. It also deprives the students of the frustration of having students displace pins, question and answer exchange common to good either intentionally or by accident. Also, it is teaching. So TV, like any teaching aid, can be better than testing by the in-classroom TV overusedand abused. system because the teacher only has to give Betty Jo Montag the questions once on tape rather than five or Cupertino High School Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/30/3/216/24063/4442017.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 six times. Sunnyvale,

perhaps the teaching biology laboratory. Fur- Book Reviews ther, this will be a popular series akin to the All unsigned reviews were made by editors. Time-Life series which will find its place in the home. Outdoor Biology and Ecology THE LIFE OF THE FOREST, Jack McCormick, 232 ANIMAL ECOLOGY IN TROPIcAL , D. F. pp., $4.95, McGraw-,New York,1966. Owen, 122 pp., $5.00, W. H. Freeman and The first of a series of gorgeously illustrated Company, San Francisco, 1966. books concerning various ecological situations This is a small book written about a very and called Our Living World of Nature. The large subject. The author quite candidly dis- -books are a cooperative venture of the World claims any intent of producing a textbook for Book Encyclopedia and the National Park the topic, but rather an essay which can be of Service. Thus, there is an emphasis on the re- value to students, to visitors in Africa, and even sources of the national parks in this as research organizations. I feel confident that he well as an unusual resource of beautiful colored has succeeded in all these aims. As a visitor to -photographs. Africa in 1965, on entomological research, I As the title indicates, the author with beauti- know that our orientation to the tropical scene ful illustrative material, tells the story of the would have been greatly helped had this book National Forests, but the focus of the series is been available before departure from the United on the ecology of forests in general. Thus, the States. Unquestionably, there is a need for more book is organized into the ecological organiza- books of this nature, and the one here under tion of the forest community, the changes that consideration is in fact the first text of a new are found in the seasons, and the various types Oliver and Boyd series on tropical biology. of forests found throughoutthis country. Professor Owen has intimate acquaintance The level of readership which the series is with the subject and first-hand knowledge of focused on is hard to discern. The initial ma- certain aspects of the materials about which he terial seems to be aimed at the elementary or writes. He has drawn heavily from the literature junior high school level, but the tone of the nar- available to him, but has also included results rative steps up considerably and the discussion originating from his own research. The style is soon involves complex ideas. The mystery is in simple and clear-cut exposition of the ecological how carefully each of rather well-known con- conditions in tropical Africa; where the facts cepts is discussed, for example, photosynthesis, are sufficient to warrant definite conclusions, the -as if it were something the reader had never latter are presented in an unequivocal manner; heard, but it does not take long for the author and where more information is needed the ap- to jump into very complex ideas without this proach is conservative, the conclusions are ten- elaborate introduction. However, the narrative tative and suggestive, or judgment is withheld is good, and reads well. to await the accumulation of further data. The This is a series, certainly,if this is an example, book is packed with useful information, includ- that should be in every high school library, and ing 13 tables giving actual data to back up

216 The American Biology Teacher, March, 1968 statements and explanations.There are excellent the area from southern Africa, are given little photographs of animal habitats, maps, and a or no treatmentbecause they are typical of more glossary. Questions of fundamental biological extensive regions elsewhere and are not con- importance are faced and contributionsto them sidered typical of tropical Africa. Coastal are made. To cite but two instances of this, on swamps of mangrove are also omitted. Stress is page 12 the poverty of invertebrate faunas at laid upon the terrestrial ecology of forests, high altitudes on tropical mountainsis discussed woodlands, and savannas of equatorial Africa, and the probable explanation is linked to the and the focus of attention is on Uganda, with unique climatic conditions occurring on these the author's personal experience and contribu- , and on page 90 some stimulating tions centered in and around Kampala.Auteco- facts are presented on the possibility of specia- logical subjects and supporting data on these tion through ecological isolation, involving gene- questions are emphasized, and a good deal of tic polymorphism and non-random mating space is devoted to population phenomena, but among cichlid fishes in East African lakes. The analyses of various communities as such are range of major topics treated in this work are absent. Conspicuous by its omission from the clearly indicated by the chapter titles; the bibliography is P. W. Richard'sexcellent book Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/30/3/216/24063/4442017.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 biological conditions in tropical Africa both at on the tropicalrain forests of the world. the present and in the recent geological past; Professor Owen has taken the trouble to the numbers, abundance, and diversity of make a number of very illuminatingcomparisons species; ecological populations (distribution, between tropical Africa and the temperate dispersion, size, limiting factor complexes, den- regions of the world as for example, . sity, etc.); phenological or seasonal events and The numbers of species and particularly the various cyclical phenomena; ecological genetics diversityof form is vastly richer in Africa among (polymorphism, mimicry, isolation, speciation, such well-known groups as mammals, birds, taxonomy); and finally a short treatment of the and butterflies, than in the north. The pre- ecology of man in tropical Africa. A more de- sumption is that a similar situation holds for tailed and expanded presentation of all these many other groups which are yet to be studied. items would be highly desirable, as one is left On the contrary,the soil fauna of Britain seems with an unsatisfied appetite for more complete to be richer in numbers of organisms than the information on such matters as they pertain soil of tropical Africa. The earthwormfauna, so directly to the tropical scene, but a treatanent common to the experience of northern eyes, is of that sort is, of course, beyond the intended poorly developed in the tropics, where its place scope of the book. Some ecological subjects are is filled by a soil fauna of termites and ants. A purposely omitted, as for example, biogeochemi- comparisonbetween the number of rare species cal cycles, trophic levels, and energy flow in of animals and the common ones is attempted, communities and between communities, de- but owing to a paucity of adequate knowledge tailed considerationof agriculturaland medical of species abundance in a large portion of the problems, and complex mathematical treatment animal kingdom, the author is severely handi- of ecology. Certain of these topics have been capped. The problem is further complicated by adequately covered in general works and text- the fact that rarity is so often assbociatedwith books on ecology, and others, like energy flow, restrictedand isolated ranges. He does draw the have not been studied in tropical Africa, accord- tentative conclusion, however, that tropical ing to the author. Africa seems to have a large number of rela- tively rare species, and further, that tropical The area covered by the book is tropical regions in general may show an increase in the Africa from 15 degrees north of the equator to number of rare forms but not a decrease in 15 degrees south of it. In this area there is common forms, as contrasted with temperate extensive tropical rain forest, montane ever- regions. This is a by-product of the greater green forest, woodland, savanna, semi-desert, actual numberof species in tropicalareas. and swamp. The spectacular fresh-water lakes The recent geologic history of Africa shows of East Africa and the famous Rift Valley are that in periods measurablein terms of thousands also included. Africa's highest mountains, and hundreds of thousands of years, much cli- Kilimanjaro,Kenya, Elgon, and the Ruwenzori matic change has occurred in tropical latitudes Range, which with their striking development of that may be correlated with Pleistocene glacia- altitudinal biotic zonation, add tremendously tion in the north. There is reason to believe that to the ecological diversity of the region. The the present forest areas of tropical Africa must ecology of the Ethiopian highlands, the semi- have been much more extensive and confluent deserts in the east and north, and the small in the past. Since then, savanna and woodland strip of desert along the west coast that enters have spread at the expense of rain forest; arid

Book Reviews 217 climates and associated vegetation types have centers of scientific inquiry, dangerous parasitic becoine dominant over enormous territories. diseases, lack of an extensive transportation Forests, especially on the uplands of eastern system, and inadequate financialresources have Africa have become reduced in size and sharply made research in tropical Africa difficult. Add isolated from each other. These events are to these the small number of trained individuals supposed to have occurred repeatedly, but as comparedto those in countriesof the temper- slowly over such long time intervals that relative ate zone. Some of these problems are being stability in faunas and floras has been the alleviated, as I could see from my recent visit, result. Africa, the author points out, is noted for and Africa today is a very attractive place for its geological stability, and this factor surely the genuinely interested field biologist. Of contributes to its biological affluence. Never- course, the wealth of the fauna has always been theless, the oscillations in forest and savanna fantastic, and few places equal tropical Africa (and woodland), accompanied by geographic for opportunitiesto study animals in their nat- and topographicisolation, have led to abundant ural setting. Despite the lack of large sums of speciation, stimulating the production of in- money and expensive equipment for research numerablespecies and subspecies, together with in this part of the world, there is a virtually Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/30/3/216/24063/4442017.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 a high degree of endemism among elements of unlimited supply of problems on a magnificent the tropical biota. Nowhere is this more evident fauna that do not require elaborate outlays. As than on the isolated high mountains of Africa the author states, research in tropical Africa and some of the small ranges, and also in the should have a strong ecological flavor, and there faunas of the deep and isolated great lakes of are so many projectsthat require only pencil and Africa. There are so many distinctive species, paper, plus a few other simple tools. It is re- subspecies, and genera, and even a few peculiar freshing indeed to read such an honest appraisal families among these assemblages, that there of research possibilitieswhen modern biologists, can be little doubt of the long continued general young and old, believe they must hitch a ride stability of the Africancontinent. The taxonomic on the golden-wheeled chariot of the glamor components of forest and savanna are markedly fields of chemical, molecular, and ultra-micro- distinct, the two having not very much in scopical biology, completewith fat federal grants, common.This of course parallelstheir ecological stainless steel laboratories,and crews of highly distinctness.Large game animals,both herbivore paid assistants who help to turn out long lists and predator, are very typical of the grassland of publicationsof two to five pages each, jointly anidwooded environments,and their representa- authoredby two to three or even four persons! tion is correspondinglypoor in the dense forests. Although significantresearch has been and is The latter are characterisedby great numbersof being done on the large game animals and small mammal species and by primates. They species of economic importance,Professor Owen also support an immense variety of insects and urges that more attention be given to compara- other invertebrates,so that the total number of tively small animals and especially the inverte- taxa in the forests greatly exceeds that of the brates; it is easier, cheaper, and the materials savannas. Clearing of the forests for agriculture, are everywhere available. This area of work, regular burning of grasslandand brush, and the however, suffers from lack of sufficientfacilities marked increase of human populations in the for sheer identification of specimens used in last century have pushed back the boundariesof research. He points out the obvious necessity the luxuriant African forests and favored the for more work in fundamentaltaxonomy, but he expansion of savanna. Future changes are in should have emphasized it. Keys to some well- store and a great deal needs to be learned about known groups of animals are in existence but the ecological suitability for high human popu- not always readily available, particularly if lations of tropicalAfrica. Some studies are under printed in inaccessible journals, and research way but many more are badly needed. collections of determinedspecimens are growing What are the opportunities for research in in some museums and universities that empha- tropical Africa? In certain ways the last chapter size the local faunas. However, a great many of this little book is the most important for it invertebrate groups have not been studied deals with that question. The author has shown taxonomically,or only inadequately,and ecolog- in the text of the preceding chapters and ical investigationsof these animals to be mean- through the list of selected references the kinds ingful must rest on a solid taxonomicfoundation. of investigation that have been accomplished, Such facts as these should cause those biologists and it is astonishing how much work in funda- to pause who think that classificationis sterile, mental ecology has already been done in a that classical taxonomy should be swept aside country that has been accessible for serious as part of our burdensomeheritage of the dead study for such a short time. Remoteness from past, and that systematics has no future. Enor-

218 The American Biology Teacher, March, 1968 mous opportunities await both the taxonomist The symposiumwas an approachto the prob- and the ecologist in tropicalAfrica. lems which must be faced and answered by RobertE. Gregg man; otherwise, the very thing that man is Department of Biology changing (environment) will answer the ques- University of Colorado tion. Man is in an unique position of being an organism capable of critical thinking and ra- FUTURE ENVIRONMENTS OF , tional behavior yet by his unquestioning disre- F. F. Darling and J. P. Milton (eds.) 767 pp., gard for the future he might form an environ- $12.50, The Natural History Press, Garden ment hostile to his children. The closing City, New York, 1966. statements by Lewis Mumford contained a This publication consists of thirty-three in- phrase, "Unless we can re-educate ourselves so dividual papers presented at a conference ar- as to get on top of this technologicalsystem, we ranged by the Conservation Foundation in shall probablyfind it impossibleto go on for any April, 1965, at Airlie House, Warrenton, Vir- length of time in the wasteful, destructive, de- ginia. The papers were divided into six topics humanized way we are now pursuing,"which running in sequence from the organic world and adequately emphasizes the importance of the Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/30/3/216/24063/4442017.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 its environment,the developmental history and meeting and the imperativeneed for action. The future of selected regions, economic patterns proceedings should be a beginning to many and processes, social and cultural purposes, more such conferences which would bring to- regional planning and development, and orga- gether the talents of concerned influential in- nization and implementation. Each topic was dividuals. The greatest impact of this excellent followed by a lively and extremely enjoyable symposiumpublication would be to have every group discussion with the provocative closing politician and educator become familiar with remarksbeing made by Lewis Mumford. the concepts faced by man in his present and The contributors were authorities in areas hopefully future environments. ranging from ecology through conservationand Donald R. Scoby regional planning to economic and legal prob- Departmentof Botany lems. The papers were diverse in style and con- North Dakota State University tent with some being difficultto follow. Despite the good intentions of all parties, the publication THE BIRDS OF TIKAL, Frank B. Smithe, 350 pp., deals very little with the topic of future en- $7.50, the NaturalHistory Press, GardenCity, vironments. The bulk of the papers were a New York,1966. compilationof previous efforts; however, this in Culminatingeight years of field observations no way detracts from the symposium as there and collecting at Tikal, the ancient site of the must be a beginning from which further work largest ceremonialcenter of the Maya in north- may advance. central Guatemala, Frank B. Smithe has given Each participantexplored, and in many cases us a useful handbook of birds that will be an implied, the population growth of man and the asset to the nature-mindedvisitor contemplating severe stress this is placing on the environment, a trip to Cential America. The book can be but all seemed to evade the possible conse- used far beyond the 222-square-mile limit of quences if the population problem is not in- the Tikal National Park. It will serve as an telligently faced. To initiate immediate aware- identificationguide for northernGuatemala and ness and concern of our future environmentsand may well have been entitled The Birds of el conservationpractices was the challenging role Petan. The catchy and familiar name Tikal is assigned to education; however, when the the better selection, no doubt. ecological principle was accused of being The Birds of Tikal is an attractivepocket-size ignored in American schools (K. Boulding, p. volume with a short but helpful description of 404) it was extremely dejecting to find the the region and an annotated list of 281 species. Biological Science Curriculumstudy had to be For each species is a succinct description: defended by a visiting Englishman (E. M. scientific, English, Spanish, and Mayan names Nicholson) rather than the people who should when available; range of species (not races); be the most familiar with the new approaches. habitat; status with respect to abundance and Another disappointing aspect was the constant season; measurements and weights; plumage; reference to the necessity of ecological research; colors of eyes, bill, and legs when appropriate; however, only one contributor (I. L. McHarg) behavior; voice; nest and eggs. The rather commented at length on concepts that need to lengthy appendix that follows includes tempera- be answered before man continues with Ray- ture and precipitation charts, lists of birds for mond Dasmann's coined "bulldozermentality." Petan beyond Tikal, and an unusual illustrated

Book Reviews 219