Book Reviews 269

Advances in Comparative and Eaviroamental Physiology. Volume 1, NaCl Traasport in Epithelia-Edited by R. GREGER. 321 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 158.

This is the first of a new series of review volumes. The reviews in Volume 1 deal with NaCl transport in gills, across the invertebrate intestine, across the vertebrate intestine, in the kidney, in amphibian skin, in tracheal epithelium and in salt glands, and regulation of transport in tight epithelia. The reviews are well written and provide good surveys of the subject. It would help if the editors of future volumes could, in their introduction, briefly summarize the important new findings presented in the work so that the less specialized reader could quickly become orientated.

Perspectives in Chemoreception and Behavior-Edited by R. F. CHAPMAN, E. A. BERNAYS and J. G. STOFFOLANO. 207 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. DM 125.

The multi-authored volume is a Festschrift to celebrate the 70th birthday of Vincent G. Dethier, a pioneer in the study of chemoreception and taste in insects. The topics reviewed are: appetitive measures of taste in the rat; animal motiv- ation; plasticity of insect control systems; vertebrate taste receptors; taste psychophysiology; the sensory code under- lying insect feeding behavior; chemoreception in the fly; the strange fate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids; the role of experience in host selection by phytophagous insects; whether female Pieris assess the number of suitable host plants present? A very tasty and stimulating volume.

Early Development of the Shoulder Girdle and Sternum ia MarsupialsBy MILAN KLIMA. Advances in Aaatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology, Volume 109. 91 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. DM 88 (paperback).

Marsupials are born at an immature embryonic stage of development for most organs except for the forelimbs that have a precocious well-developed girdle and musculature that enable the embryo to crawl to the mother’s pouch using the forelimbs, and there attach onto the teat. The breast-shoulder develops a compact arch in the intra- uterine embryo and in the neonates. In the pouched young this arch is reduced soon after birth. This development is well reviewed in the present volume, and the data is based on the Hill Collection at Utrecht. It throws interesting light on the development of the reptile, monotreme and placental shoulder girdle.

The Distal Nephron in the Kidaey of Fishes--By H. HENTSCHEL and M. ELGER. Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology, Volume 108. 151 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. DM 78 (paperback).

A general evolutionary line can be drawn through Per- romyzon via Pofypterus and lung fishes to the amphibian nephron. The Elasmobranchs have a complex renal struc- ture and the marine ones have a counter-current system that enables them to retain and absorb urea. The intercalated cells that are prominent in the distal nephron of the mammalian kidney have been traced back through the hmgtish and Polyprem to Petromyzon. This volume will be very useful to all workers on the kidney, especially those who wish to have a morphological basis for their physiological studies.

Respiratory Function of tbe Upper Airways--Edited by 0. P. MATTHEW and G. SANT’AMROGIO. 645 pp. 1988. Marcel Dekker, New York. $150 (USA and Canada $125).

The upper airways consist of the larynx, pharynx and nasopharynx. It is the initial stage for input and final stage for output of air. This multi-authored volume deals with the comparative anatomy of the airways in vertebrates; functional anatomy during human development; striated respiratory muscles; central control; nerve receptors; nasal and pharangeal reflexes; laryngeal reflexes; reflexes in new- born; biomechanical analysis; nasal airflow resistance; modifications of inspired air; heat and water exchange; control of respiratory flow and lung volume; respiration and sound production; feeding, sucking and swallowing; and effects of cigarette smoke. It also deals with sleep apnea syndrome and the discoordination of upper airway muscles in asthma.

Patterns of Human Growth-By BARRY BOGIN. 267 pp. 1988. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $54 (hard- back); % 17.95 (paperback).

This book reviews the basic principles of human growth (HG); evolution of HG; ecology of HG; growth variations in living human populations; environmental factors affecting HG; genetic and endocrine regulation of HG; and mathematical and biological models of HG. It is pitched at the level of advanced undergraduate/graduate.

Teratogens: Chemicals which Cause Birth Defects-Edited by V. K. MEYERS. 472 pp. 1988. Elsevier, Amsterdam. $171.

At least 5000 chemicals can have teratogenic (T) effects and they are listed in this book. In addition, details are given of the T of pesticides; the long term effects of T chemicals on the developing brain and behaviour; the safe handling of T chemicals; and how to obtain information about the T potential activity of chemicals. The purpose of this book is to make women working with chemicals aware of the potential T danger and to explain how to minimize this T effect.