book reviews ~.eview, deals with morphogenesis, differentiation, and development. The chapters are logicdy developed, heginning with a treatment of fertilization and proceeding through the behavior of nucloic acids during early development, biochemical embryology, factors of embryonic induction, amphibian metamorphosis, and insect metamorphosis. I n t,he reviewer's opinion the ~killiulauthors of this vdume have achieved a commendable degree of success in mderscoring the biochemical aspects of differentiation and development. In earlier book and examination crithis reviewer has tiques for THIS JOURNAL, posed questions concerning the role of hiochemistry in rmdergraduate c~trricula. I am convinced now that biochemistry should indeed be an important part of chemistry and/or biology programs a t the baccalaureate level. For those college or university departments which share this conviction, a scholarly treatise such as "Comprehensive Biochemistry" should be as much a part of their leaching material b.s the laboratory facilities. It ia rossonable to predict that i t will be mnny years before a comparable work is attempted. I n bhe meanwhile those privileged to have this treatise in their libraries can be assured that their serious ~tlldents will have a f a easier task becoming acquainted with the overwhelming literature of hiochemintry.
WILHELM R. FRISELL Department oj Bioehemiaty The University of Colorado School of Medicine Denver, Colorado 80220
Van Nosfrand's Scientific Encyclopedia
Fourth edition. D. Vsn Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, 1968. ix 2008 pp. fig^. and tables. 23.5 X 30.5 cm. $42.75,
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Ten years have passed since the third edition; the book is bigger and mare has been put on a page without resorting to unreadably small type. This is a massive undertaking, covering science (and technology) from aardvark to zygote. I t claims to be s "cornerstone" volume for any science library-and it is: 2008 pages and elerren pounds. Color plates have been used to good advantage (X-ray induced color centers in NaCl and KCI) and a t questionable expense (Gemini docking maneuver). I t is impossible to review the contents, hut spat selection gives some idea of the emphasis. "Maser" requires five page%, "nueleic acids" four pages, and "nmr" two pages. Almost half of the three page entry on "molecule" discusses molecular orbital theory. The entry under "marihnana" is one ward, hemp. This is a true encyclopedia, authoritative, and remarkably complete: 125,000 definitions in 16,500 separate articles. If a. science library needs x quick reference work, this volume fills the bill. IVFK
A500
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Journal o f Chemical Education
