Book Reviews

Botany THE GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT: The first two chapters entitled, "Scope THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL and Development of ," INTRODUCTION TO THE : FACTORS ON THE GROWITH AND and "The Organic World"provide an ex- AND DEVELOPMENTOF FLOWERCROPS cellent background for the rest of the by Harold C. Bold and Michael J. By John W. Masterlerz. 1977. John book. In the first chapter Professor Tivy Wynne.(Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Wiley and Sons (605 Third Avenue, defines biogeography and explains why Cliffs, New Jersey 07632). 706 p. New York 10016). 629 p. Price not she chose as the main vehicle for

$24. given. her studies, and for this book. (Microbial Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/40/8/509/36412/4446378.pdf by guest on 30 September 2021 and are not neg- Drs. Harold C. Bold and Michael J. This book was written for students lected). In the chapter on "The Organic Wynne have published an interesting whose career aspirations lie in green- World," Professor Tivy defines the bio- text, Introduction to the Algae: Structure house management and for growers sphere and most (I hesitate to say all) of and Reproduction, which will draw many wishing to know more about the major interactions that occur within studentsto the field of phycology. The growth under greenhouse conditions. Its the including: food webs and text, which emphasizes structure and major emphasis is on crops and chains, , the role of min- reproduction,may be used as a one- their response to environmental factors, erals, flow and nutrient circula- semestercourse in phycologyfor upper- such as temperature, solar energy, tion, decompostion, and a plethora of level undergraduatesor first-yeargradu- carbon dioxide, and relative humidity. It other introductorytopics, all of which are ate students. and biochemis- will be of interest to high school considered in more detail in following try are not covered in depth, but the teachers and amateur horticulturalists chapters. authorscite many referencesthat cover who have greenhouses to care for. Major topics include: atmospheric, these topicsmore completely. The book is readable and presents edaphic, biotic and anthropogenic factors The authorshave cited over 2,000 ref- lucid details on the effects of each of the of the ecosphere; plant and dis- erences,most of whichhave appearedin environmental factors discussed. Each tribution;the effect of humans on plant print within the past ten years. These chapter has an extensive list of literature. evolution and distribution; vegetation referencescomplement the phycological There are many black-and-white illustra- change and stability; marine, forest and literaturepublished in the texts of Smith tions, clear charts, and diagrams. grassland ; biological deserts; (1950) and Fritch (1945). The format In addition, there are chapters on and the exploitation and conservation of includesa briefintroduction (Chapter 1); nutrients and fertilizers and on growth organic resources. Chapters2 through 10 are devoted to regulating chemicals. In the latter chap- Each major topic is covered in con - the majordivisions of algae. ter, Masterlerz gives some helpful infor- siderable detail with many subtopics. text and readable. mation on controlling weeds and algae in The is well written Numerous charts and flow diagrams ex- Importantterms are printedin boldface the greenhouse and on potting materials. pand upon the text. The book contains type. Each chapter is subdivided into ElizabethJ. Mallon no photographs. Perhaps a few full color in StateUniversity of New York sections that will aid the student her/ illustrations would appeal to some read- his study.The keys in the text are simple, StonyBrook ers. and easy to use. The classifica- accurate, The writing style is crisp, clear, and tion schemes are excellent.The book is and concise. In my opinion, anyone inter- with micrographs, replete photographs, ested in understanding the complexities and line drawingsthat complementthe Environmental Biology of ecology (in its broadest sense) should discussion.Also of importanceis the ap- BIOGEOGRAPHY:A STUDY OF study this textbook. Biology teachers pendix that includes useful information from the junior high school level through on cultivatingalgae in the laboratory. PLANTSIN THE ECOSPHERE by Joy Tivy.3rd impression, 1st paper- college or university graduate levels Insummary, this text is the best in phy- should have this book available for im- cology that I have had the pleasure to back ed. 1977. LongmanGroup, Ltd. mediate reference - read. The concise, precise language is (19 West 44th Street, New York 10036). 390 p. $7. Norman Abraham easy to follow and the relevant, up-to- InteractionScience Curriculum Project date literaturewill be welcomed by the This fine college level (or high school Chico,California studentand serious scholaras well. The honors course) textbook bears the unmis- authorsshould be commended for pre- takable mark of a scholar. The author paringa masterfultext in phycologythat draws her insight and knowledge from THE LIMITSOF ALTRUISM: AN willstimulate student interest in the field. many years of teaching biogeography at ECOLOGIST'S VIEW OF SURVIVAL Every university and college library the Universities of Edinburgh and Glas- by Garrett Hardin. 1977. Indiana shouldhave this usefulbook. gow, and from her intensive worldwide University Press (Bloomington, Indi- RichardStalter research into the complex interactions ana 47401). 159 p. $10. St. John's University that occur between plants, and between In this volume, ecologist Hardin rea- Jamaica, New York plants and their physical environment. sons out his social philosophy, given the

BOOK REVIEWS 509