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BOOKREVIEWS

A. Hastings: POPULATION BIOLOGY. Concepts and Models; Springer Verlag, New York, 1997, 220 pp. Price DEM 36.-, USD 21.95, ISBN 0-387-94853-8 This is not only a well written, concise textbook on the role of mathematical models in explaining the growth and behaviour of populations, it is also an important textbook in the sense that much of the progress in population biology depends on the extent to which field and experimental biologists are able to understand the language of theory, and, based on this knowledge, to collaborate with theoreticians. In this way - on condition that the theoreticians listen to the arguments of biologists on the adequacy of their models - population biology can progress to its ultimate aim: a wide acceptability of concepts and models for understanding real biological systems. Hastings's book opens the theoretical kitchen to a biologist for whom "mathematics may be like a foreign language" (VARLEYet al. 1973). All the mathematical concepts are explained in detail in such a way that they are understandable to a non-mathematically inclined reader. This challenging approach, in my opinion, would be appropriate also in the "Problems" at the end of each chapter because the exercises here are often a very important part of the text. Though the author assures us that the students in his classes have had no difficulty with these exercises, I am convinced that adding a short key, at least to mathematical exercises, would be very informative to many readers (including me). I understand why the book does not contain too many biological examples: the idea that this book, among others, will be useful as a supplement to more general texts on population biology and ecology, which tend not to cover enough theory, is certainly correct, as is also the idea that during the teaching of the course students should be asked to read a selection of recent experimental and observational studies. Nevertheless, at least in "Suggestions for further reading" at the end of chapters, I would select more studies that combine a theoretical, observational and experimental approach. For instance, to complete Chapter 2 on density-independent population growth, the reader might be referred to a brilliant mixture of intuitive and theoretical explanations in MERTZ(1970) "Lecture notes". It would make the inevitably complex description of age structure in this chapter easier to understand and help to make clear the relationship between the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the net reproductive rate (R0) that is hard to understand without reference to generation time. In the same chapter, when first introducing the eigenvectors and eigenvalues (p. 26), it would be instructive to note right away that eigenvalues describe growth rates and eigenvectors describe stable age structure, and refer to Box 2.10. In "Suggestions for further reading" in Chapter 4, I would recommend an interesting combination of observational and theoretical approaches relevant to density-dependent population growth with lags from B ERRYMAN's( 1981) textbook, and in the concluding part, called "What regulates populations", a review with many field examples written by SINCLAIR(1989). P.S.: I have found the following typing errors: in Figure 7.5., in the left-hand comer of phase plane dN2/dt<0 instead of dN2/dt>0; p. 134: Figures 7.8-7.10 instead of 7.11-7.14; p. 190: Figure 10.4 instead of 10.1.

CONTENTS Introduction. Single Species. Density Independence. Population Genetics. Density Dependence. Life Histories. Interacting Species. Interactions Between Species. Competition. Predator-Prey Interactions. Host-Parasitoid Interactions. Diseases and Parasites.

REFERENCES BERRYMANA.A. (1981): Population systems. Plenum, New York. MERTZ D.B. (1970): Notes on methods used in life-history studies. In: CONNELL J.H., CONNELL D.B. & MURDOCH W.W. (eds.), Readings in ecology and ecological genetics. Harper and Row, New York, pp. 4-17. SINCLAIR A.R.E. (1989): Population regulation in animals. In: CHERRETF M.J. (ed.), Ecological concepts. Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 197-241. VARLEYG.C., GRADWELLG.R. & HASSELLM.P. (1973): Insect population ecology. Blackwell, Oxford.

Vojttch Jaroi~

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J.A. Underwood: EXPERIMENTS IN ECOLOGY, Their logical design and interpretation using analysis of variance; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, etc., 1997, 504 pp. Price GBP 22.95, ISBN 0-521-55696-1 The title and subtitle precisely reflect the contents of the book which provides a very detailed description of all aspects of the analysis of variance. It focuses mainly on its application in the statistical analysis of ecological experiments. All topics are explained here in a very intelligible way. Moreover, the whole text makes for very refreshing reading. The book provides many practical recipes on how to do good experiments and how to test scientific hypotheses. It provides a thorough description of a whole process, starting from a particular observation of a biological phenomenon, continuing through the creation of a model which explains the observation, deriving hypotheses on the basis of this model, designing experiments that could test these hypotheses and f'mally to the statistical evaluation of their results. In the whole text the author is always stressing the necessity to think during the whole process. He shows that a researcher must all the time ask questions such as: Does the experiment design really test a given hypothesis? What statistical method should be used for testing this particular hypothesis? Are the experimental data compatible with this statistical method? Many actual and previously published experiments are carefully described and examined according to these criteria and if they fall short the author suggests how to design them better. Using these concrete examples the author teaches us how to avoid the usual errors in designing experiments and in the analysis of experimental data. The book is arranged into 14 chapters: Introduction; A framework for investigating biological patterns and processes; Populations, frequency distributions and samples; Statistical tests of null hypotheses; Statistical tests on samples; Simple experiments comparing the means of two populations; Analysis of variance; More analysis of variance; Nested analysis of variance; Factorial experiments; Construction of any analysis from general principles; Some common and some particular experimental designs; Analyses involving relationships among variables; Conclusions where to from here? In spite of the fact that the book focuses mainly on analysis of variance, it also provides an introduction to general statistics. All important concepts, such as the null and alternative hypotheses, sampling, mean and variance, type I and H errors, interaction of factors, multiple comparison, regression, etc., are explained in a very intuitive and clear way. Some of the simple alternatives to A.NOVA are also recommended and discussed. It is rather difficult to point out any major weaknesses of the reviewed book. Possibly, a textbook primarily designed for beginners and students in statistics should include at least a short overview of both traditional and modem statistical methods to help the reader assess the role of ANOVA in modem statistics. In my opinion the book is very good and can be used as the basic textbook for introductory statistics and for designing biological experiments.

Monika Flegrowt K. Thompson, J. Bakker & R. Bekker: THE SOIL SEED BANKS OF NORTH WEST EUROPE: METHODOLOGY, DENSITY AND LONGEVITY; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, etc., 1997, 276 pp. Price GBP 65.-, ISBN 0-521-49519-9 The undoubted importance of soil banks in plant ecology is reflected by the increasing number of scientific papers dedicated to this topic. The research dealing with buried viable seeds finds its place in such areas as conservation and restoration of plant communities, vegetation succession, recolonization after forest fires or volcanic eruptions, etc. The book reviewed here might be helpful to students working in the above mentioned areas thanks to the large amount of information gathered on individual species. Records on individual species with quantitative parameters (longevity, density) of seed persistence in the soil are presented here in a database. Data compiled from 275 publications are available for 1189 vascular plant species occurring in NW Europe. These represent 98 plant families out of 120 occurring in this geographical area. On average, one may find data on soil seed banks for about half the members of a typical large family. Up to 326 records are listed for one species; clearly, the higher the number of records the greater the reliability of the data. The database is arranged in alphabetical order by families, and by genera and species within families. One record may contain some or all of the following items: s~ecies name together with authority, seed bank type, number of records, longevity, minimum seed density m- , maximum seed density m 2, mean seed density, depth, method code and source code. The relationship between items "number of records" and "source codes" and list of references is poorly explained; thus the system of extracting and processing original

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data is rather confusing. The database forms the most extensive part of the book reviewed and is available also on an enclosed 3.5 inch disk. The database is preceded by an introduction. Its role is not only to guide the reader through database (geographical and taxonomic coverage, data collection and admissibility, principal features of the data), but also to present the latest trends in seed bank classification and methods of seed bank analysis. Contrary to the traditional concepts of soil seed bank classification proposed by THOMPSON& GRIME (1979), which describes the presence and proportion of viable germinable seeds to viable dormant ones within the season, the authors deal with the longevity of seed persistence in the soil. They use the classification methods introduced by BAKKER (1989) and BAKKER et al. (1991). He distinguished three arbitrary categories of soil seed banks: (1) transient (species with seeds persisting in the soil less than one year), (2) short-term persistent (species with seeds persisting in the soil for at least one year, but less than five years), (3) long-term persistent (species with seeds persisting in the soil for at least five years). Particular attention is paid to discussions on methods of seed bank analysis. The two types of methods most often used at present are seed separation and seedling emergence. The high cost, time demands and inaccuracy are considered to be the main disadvantages of seed separation methods. This results in a preference for the application of seedling emergence methods, despite the problems of how to ensure appropriate germination conditions. A detailed guide for soil samples processing, sampling design and computation procedure follows. I can strongly recommend this book not only to those dealing with autecology of individual species, but also to students of plant community ecology. The book is highly valued for the large amount of data and for the proposed standardization of soil seed bank research, which could make future data more applicable and comparable.

REFERENCES BAKKERJ.P. (1989): Nature management by grazing and cutting. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. BAKKERJ.P., BOS A.F., HOOGVELDJ. & MULLERH.J. (199 I): The role of seed bank in restoration management of semi-natural grassland. In: RAVERA 0. (ed.), Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems: perturbation and recovery, Ellis Horwood, New York, pp. 449-455. THOMPSON K. & GRIME J.P. (1979): Seasonal variation in seed banks of herbaceous species in ten contrasting habitats. J. Ecol. 67: 53-57.

Petr Dostdl J. Silvertown, M. Franco & J.L. Harper (eds.): PLANT LIFE HISTORIES. Ecology, phylogeny and evolution; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1997, 313 pp. Price GBP 19.95, USD 29.95, ISBN 0-521-57495-1 This book is a reprint of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London (Vol. B 351) based on the symposium held in 1996. The only two differences between the book and the journal issue I was able to find are that the paper of Kelly & Woodward, comparing taxonomies and phylogenies, is missing from this book (I wonder why), but there is an index compiled for this "new edition". Although the policy of producing identical texts in both journal and book versions might not always be justified, in this case it will be undoubtedly approved by ecological audiences because it makes this important piece of progress in ecological research more readily available. The papers included in the book re-examine patterns of relationships between plant life history traits in a phylogenetic perspective. This approach stems from the fact that evolution is a branching process, the traits are not randomly distributed across taxa and therefore species cannot be treated as independent data points in analyses of trait correlations. Because this attitude has received so much attention in the last few years, it became a fashionable trend in comparative analyses. Despite some criticism concerning the way the method is used rather than the method itself (WESTOBYet al. 1995, but see HARVEYet al. 1995), phylogenetic corrections represent extremely powerful tools, making it possible to employ an important aspect which has hitherto been overlooked. At present, various software is available to run comparative analyses using phylogenetic corrections and many programs are available, quite a few of them on the Internet. The 15 papers are divided into 5 sections, devoted to general phylogenetic perspectives, particular phases of the life cycle (reproductive traits, seed ecology, recruitment and growth) and interactions with competitors, herbivores and microbial symbionts. The brilliant preface by J.L. Harper, J. Silvertown and M. Franco provides a perfect assessment of what is important in the book and what its position is in terms of present ecological

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knowledge. The poor reviewer is not left much space for evaluation. Reading this introduction alone gets the reader well into the subject. To mention some of the particular papers, that by Crawley et al. indicates that comparisons between alien and native floras and faunas are a particularly valuable source of material for studying the nature and origins of the traits that govern the ecology of species. Data on alien plants automatically control for evolution after invasion because there has been little time for evolution to occur. Barrett et al. analyze the evolution of mating systems. Schoen et al. attempt to answer the puzzling question of why self-pollination has evolved repeatedly within different lineages. Their analysis of various theories shows that after a century of studies, we still do not know much about this central problem of plant reproductive biology. Hamrick & Godt analyze the effect of mating systems on genetic diversity and genetic structure. Westoby et al. give greater weight to the informative value of ecological explanations (TIP analyses). They stress the fact that the method of phylogenetic corrections (PIC) is insensitive to the consequences of stabilizing selection which is particularly relevant in some traits (such as seed size). Van Groenendael et al. studied the pattern of distribution of clonality in plants and showed that the preponderance of clonal plants in wet habitats has a phylogenetic explanation (i.e. due to monocots prevailing in this habitat type). Futuyma and Mitter review the state of knowledge about the evolution of dietary specialization among insects, Fitter and Moyersoen discuss the phylogeny of root symbioses. Goldberg, by reviewing literature, suggests experimental designs that could make it possible to partition competitive ability into ecological and phylogenetic determinants. The concluding part of the editors' introduction is a useful summary of general ecological correlations confirmed by using a comparative approach, in other words of those relationships that cannot be explained on the basis of phylogeny. It has been tempting to see the ecological match between organisms and their present environment as the results of current evolutionary processes, and to forget their phylogeny. This book originated in the conviction that time was ripe to re-examine the generally accepted pattern in phylogenetic perspective. A few years ahead, this book might prove to be a milestone in our understanding of the relationships between form and function. Let me finish this review with the editors' reply to the question asking how general are the patterns dealt with in the present volume. "Although it is still too early to answer the question, this volume demonstrates that at least we have the means to address it."

REFERENCES HARVEY EH., READ A.F. & NEE S. (1995): Why ecologists need to be phylogenetically challenged. J. Ecol. 83: 535-536. WESTOBYM., LEISHMANM.R. & LORDJ.M. (1995): On misinterpreting the "phylogenetic correction". J. Ecol. 83: 531-534.

Petr Pyiek G. Harling & L. Andersson (eds.): FLORA OF ECUADOR No. 56. 79. Rosaceae (by Katya Romoleroux). 81, Connaraceae (by Enrique Forero); Council for Nordic Publishing in Botany, COpenhagen, Dept. of Syst. Botany, Gtteborg University, 1996, 169 pp. Price DKK 37.-, ISBN 87-88702-33-2 In 1973 the first volume of the Flora of Ecuador marked the beginning of a programme to describe plant diversity of this country. The series is issued irregularly by the Department of Botany, University of G/Steborg; more than 70 families have now been treated (the arrangement follows Engler's Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien, ed. 12, 1954-1964). The territory of the Galapagos Islands is not included. The series is presented in the form of a classical flora with descriptions of the family, keys to the genera and species, and references to the important literature. Species entries include nomenclature, description, list of examined specimens, notes on distribution and incidentally some diagnostic characters which facilitate the determination. The present volume includes treatments of the Rosaceae and Connaraceae. The first part, devoted to the family Rosaceae (by K. Romoleroux), starts with the family description and a key to all genera found in Ecuador. It is followed by entries on native (Rubus, Geum, Potentilla, Lachemilla, Aphanes, Margyricarpus, Acaena, Polylepis, Prunus, Hesperomeles) and naturalized (Fragaria) genera; remaining genera (Rosa, Duchesnea, Crataegus, Eriobotrya, Malus, Pyrus) are only cultivated. In all, 68 species are treated here, three being newly described (Rubus laegaardii ROMOLEROUX,R. azuayeensis ROMOLEROUX,Lachemilla angustata ROMOLEROUX); one new combination is also included (Hesperomeles obtusifolia var. microphylla (WEDD.)

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ROMOLEROUX). The author has made a considerable contribution to the understanding of some genera in the studied area. In comparison with previously published checklists of the Ecuadorian flora (JORGENSEN&: ULLOA 1994, RENNER et al. 1990) ten Rubus species, 11 Lachemilla species, and 2 Prunus species are added, some corrections in nomenclature are also presented. The extensively revised material and accurate, instructive drawings are much appreciated. Of course, there is still much to do to elucidate the variations, especially in such genera as Rubus and Lachemilla. The second part of the volume deals with the family Connaraceae (written by E. Forero) represented in Ecuador by three genera: Connarus, Rourea and Cnestidium. In all, 10 species are listed here (two without detailed description). In comparison with the previously published checklist (RENNER et al. 1990) three species of Connarus and two of Rourea are added. However, Rourea cuspidata, included in the checklist mentioned, has only been reported from Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia (FORERO 1976) and is therefore omitted from the present volume. The poor collection of specimens and the author's remarks in the text indicate the probability that new representatives of this family will be discovered in Ecuador (for example species occurring in adjacent countries) and the usefulness of continued research. REFERENCES FORERO E. (1976): A revision of the American species of Rourea subg. Rourea (Connaraceae). Mere. New York Bot. Gard. 26: 1-119. JORGENSENP.M. & ULLOAU.C. (1994):Seedplants of the High Andes of Ecuador. AAU Reports 34, Botanical Institute Aarhus University, Risskov. RENNER S.S., BALSLEVH. & NIELSEL.B.H. (1990): Flowering plants of Amazonian Ecuador. AAU Reports 24, Botanical Institute Aarhus University, Risskov. Daniel S t a n ~

H.-D. Krausch: FARBATLAS WASSER- UND UFERPFLANZEN; Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim), 1996, 315 pp. Price DEM 44.-, ISBN 3-8001-3352-0 The reviewed book is devoted to the wetland plants of Germany; its aim is to introduce the readers to the aquatic environment and to help them recognize aquatic and coastal plant species in the field. It is intended to be used particularly by beginners, but a lot of interesting information for specialists is also included. The book contains two main parts - a general part and a specialized part. In the general part the basic terms are defined. Adaptations of wetland plant species to their habitats, their life forms and phytogeographical affinities are described. Special attention is paid to the function of wetland species in the ecosystems, their importance as bioindicators, and also their role in human economic activities. Naturally, a chapter on endangerment and protection of wetland species and wetland ecosystems cannot be missed. The next chapter includes a list of plant communities mentioned in the body of the text, and a simplified classification of aquatic habitats in Central Europe. The specialized part begins with a systematic survey of the plant species included in the book, followed by descriptions of 231 species. Each description consists of three parts - morphology, habitat requirements, and its distribution world-wide and in Germany, and is completed by a photograph of the plant. Some descriptions also include notes on related species. Species are divided into 12 groups according to their habitats. In some cases, these groups more or less correspond to the classes or alliances of phytosociological classification. The division is as follows: 1. Oligotrophic and mesotrophic calcareous waters, 2. Oligotrophic non-calcareous waters, 3. Oligotrophic peaty waters, 4. Springs and streams, 5. Communities of submerged pondweeds (Potametea exci. Nymphaeion), 6. Zone of floating leaves (Nymphaeion), 7. Communities of frogbit and duckweeds (Lemnetea), 8. Reeds of eutrophic still waters (Phragmitetea excl. Magnocaricetalia), 9. Stands of tall sedges (Magnocaricetalia), 10. Tall-forb floodplains, 11. Beggar-ticks and stream deposit communities (Bidentetea), 12. Vegetation of exposed pond bottoms (lsogto-Nanojuncetea). At the end of the book a list of recommended literature and indexes of Latin and German names are attached. In general the book is well-arranged and relatively comprehensive. Beginners' attention will be especially attracted by the number of photographs; unfortunately not all are of a good quality (for example Lobetia dortmanna, p. 72, Deschampsia setacea, p. 68), and some of them only show a part of the plant, which is not sufficient for determination (such as some Carex or Callitriche species). In some cases it would be useful to show the whole plant with an inset picture of important detail (e.g., BaldeUia ranunculoides, p. 65). However,

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there is a number of high-quality and valuable photographs, such as of the group of rare plants of exposed bottoms, which are hard to see in the field. In the special part both German and Latin names of plants are included, but in the general part the Latin names are usually missing. This makes the text difficult to follow for foreigners. The assignment of some species to particular groups may be a matter for discussion, especially for plant species with a wide ecological range, but this is often the case with any classification. Despite these minor shortcomings I consider it to be a valuable book and recommend it to all the friends of wetlands.

KateHna~umberov~ V. Jehl~ (ed.): ClZ| EXPANZIVN( PLEVELE (~ESKE REPUBLIKY A SLOVENSK# REPUBLIKY (Alien expansive weeds of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic); Academia, Praha, 1998, 506 pp. Price CZK 425.-, ISBN 80-200-0656-7 In 1973 a publication of Hejn~ et al. on quarantine weeds of Czechoslovakia was published. It contained within its 156 pages general information as well as more detailed texts on 28 species of weeds. Now another publication is obtainable, which was originally planned as the second edition of the above mentioned publication. It is substantially enlarged both in terms of the content of its general part and the number of species studied, i.e. forty, and it consists of 506 pages. In comparison with those species examined in 1973, there are twenty new species while eight species were excluded. The team of authors includes seven members, among them all four who wrote the first edition. The greatest part of the work and all the editorial work fell upon V. Jehltk, the well-known research worker of the adventive flora of the Czech and Slovak Republics. The work was planned for completion a long time ago, but an exceedingly painstaking approach by the editor led to a 10-12 years delay. The text of the book is subdivided into several parts, which may be summarized into three basic parts: general part (with introduction), special part with texts on individual species, and the final part, including references, summaries, editor's concluding remarks and indexes. In the introductory part the term "alien expansive weed" is discussed, which, in the authors' concept (or at least that of its editor), includes the "true" alien expansive weeds - here 20 in number - as well as weeds which might turn into expansive weeds in the future. (For concrete annotations of the present reviewer on this problem see below.) Changes in the composition of the species group dealt with in both editions are mentioned here also. The introductory part still contains the text on integrated protection of cultivated plants and on the importance of investigation of alien expansive weeds. The following themes are largely discussed in the general part of the book - research methods, objects of field research and the migration routes of alien weeds to the studied area. Literature references are given separately in each chapter or sub-chapter. For each species the following information is given: scientific and vernacular Czech and Slovak names; concise description; native distribution; secondary distribution; distribution in the Czech and Slovak Republics with lists of localities of revised material; ecological characteristics (with data on ecology, cenology and ecobiology); a prognosis of spread and ways of control; economic importance; references to special literature. The distribution of individual species was mapped by B. Slavik - based on data accumulated by V. Jehlfk as it is somewhat excessively given to each map. The main author (V. J.) very carefully enumerated all documentary material seen by him. All species are also illustrated by pen-and-ink drawings by V. Vodi~kov~. Her authorship is mentioned, however, only in the copyright. The final part of the book includes summaries in four languages - Czech, English, German and Russian which contain the most important data from the general part of the book. They do not include information on individual species. Many facts included in the special part of the publication may be understandable to foreign readers: e.g., illustrations, distribution maps, lists of localities, data on distribution, etc. From the data, differences may be seen when the pattern of occurrence of some species in the two countries is compared. In the Czech Republic these species represent only ruderal plants; in Slovakia the same species also occupy cultivated land and even enter segetal communities. In the editor's epilogue he emphasizes that the book represents the summation of the personal experiences of the authors from 1960 to 1996 (especially the last 25 years) based on their work carried out in the "classical" tradition of investigation of adventive plants. Problems of naturalization have been solved during that time; the study was intended to lead to recommendations for control. V. Jehl~ emphasizes here the importance of the "Czech school", established by S. HejnS', for the investigation of adventive plants. The possibilities of the

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observation method are exhausted at present, and the future investigation will have to be enriched with further approaches; the main practical task will be the prevention. Only a few factual imperfections are to be found in the reviewed book. The map describing the political division of both Republics (p. 14) should refer to the year 1993, the same map placed in the inner part of the hardbacks is given as referring to 1997; but this map (used to show the distribution of localities) dates really from the year 1989. The authorship of individual texts (chapters or sub-chapters of the general part) is given only in the table of contents. The authorship of the texts on individual species or of individual parts of the text with respect to the specialization of individual authors is not given even in the introduction to the book. A basic critical note to this work refers to the selection of species included. The authors admit that some species included are actually true expansive weeds, other are only potentially so. The species classified by them as belonging to an external quarantine do not represent real expansive weeds and in fact they should not he included in a book with such a title. The main reason for the exclusion of Bidensfrondosa from the first edition (p. 43) was that the species cannot be considered as an expansive weed of agricultural land (though it can occur there in wet places - J. H.). On the grounds of such a decision a series of species should also be excluded, e.g., Acroptilon repens (now only one locality!), Amaranthus viridis, Ambrosia trifida, Chenopodium

pumilio, Commelina communis, Eleusine indica, Hirschfeldia incana, Lactuca tatarica, Oxybaphus nyctagineus, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Rumex patientia, R. triangulivalvis, Sisymbrium volgense, Veronicafiliformis. In contrast, many important expansive (even aggressive) weeds are absent, e.g., Amaranthus retroflexus, Cardaria draba, Conyza canadensis, Galinsoga ciliata, G. parviflora, Helminthotheca echioides, Salsola kali, Xanthoxalis dillenii, X.fontana, etc. When Veronicafiliformis is accepted here as a "meadow weed", then Epilobium ciliatum should also be included (inhabiting frequently wet places in meadows). Further species might be taken into consideration when, e.g., Artemisia verlotiorum was included, as for example Ceratochloa carinata, Erucastrum

gallicum, E. nasturtiifolium, Reynoutria japonica, R. sachalinensis, Rumex confertus, Symphytum xupplandicum, Xanthium sp. div., etc. It seems that in the selection of species for the book certain close personal attitudes to some (earlier studied) species predominated and these were selected, as e.g., Acroptilon repens, Chenopodium pumilio, Eleusine indica, Hirschfeldia incana, Sisymbrium volgense, Veronicafiliformis, etc. It is a pity that no complete lists of expansive and potential weeds have been compiled and that some selection from them - based on clearly defined parameters - has not been done. The fact that a certain number of species 40 - are descnbed shows that a selection process existed, but full details, as well as the reasons for the selection, are missing. In spite of the above criticism, it is necessary to stress that the publication includes, especially in its special part, a large amount of data for the species studied. These can be used by other botanists in further studies. Moreover, the general part of the book (described in some detail in the foreign-language summaries) contains many data which can be used for studying weed floras, as well as suggestions for further work. In this sense it is possible to recommend the book to all who are engaged in the problems of weeds and the prevention of their spread. The book is very well edited by the publishing house Academia, well printed and bound: only the photographs are rather poor. -

Josef Holub (deceased) R. Kondo, C. Childs & I. Atkinson: OPAL PHYTOUTHS OF NEW ZEALAND; Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, New Zealand, 1994, 85 pp., 7 figs., 6 tabs., 38 plates of the electron micrographs, 4 colour maps. Price USD 40.-, ISBN 0-478-04522-0 Opal phytoliths are particles of amorphous hydrated silica (SiO2. nH20) that develop in the tissues of vascular plants. They are very durable and accumulate in soils layers when plants decay.Their form is usually characteristic for different plant tissues and for several phytotaxonomic units and they have potential for application in palaeobotany and allied scinces. There are only two monographs on phytoliths in the world literature at present, PIPERNO (1988) and RAPP & MULHOLLAND (1992). Not all the vascular plants produce phytoliths and the extent to which plants produce them varies widely. Phytolith production is common to abundant in most families of Pteridophyta (in several tissues) and also in many monocotyledon families, e.g. in Arecaceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae (in the epidermis). Their production in gymnosperms is usually rare or absent, while in dicotyledon families varies widely from being rare to common. The book presents the first results of pioneer work that is oriented predominantly to the reconstruction of the past. The authors have separated phytoliths from a wide range of New Zealand native grasses, trees and ferns and made a comparative collection. Electron micrographs of a wide range of representative phytoliths

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are included. The application of opal phytoliths analysis to the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments is illustrated with reference to studies of: (1) The major types of vegetation that have contributed to the accumulation of humus in modem and buried soils in New Zealand. The phytoliths of tree fems (genera Cyathea, Dicksonia), dicotyledons (most abundant genera Nothofagus, Olearia, Pittosporum, Beilschmiedia) and monecotyledons (Rhopalostylis) are generally more abundant in the North Island than in the South Island, and the reverse applies to grass phytoliths. (2) A 500 000-year section through loess and tephra layers, and a 20 000-year tephra section. The distributions of different types of phytoliths are related to palaeoclimates. The most abundant phytoliths in the full Glacial were from Chionochloa and Poa and in the late Glacial from Poa, Festuca, and Rytidosperma. The period of soil formation is presented by the abundance of phytoliths from both trees and grasses. Phytoliths from trees are dominant up to 1000 BP. They probably derived mainly from Nothofagus, Proteaceae, and Lauraceae. In modem soils (after 650 years BP) phytoliths from grasses and trees are equally dominant. The rise in the proportion of grass phytoliths at the beginning of this period may be due to Polynesian settlement with a resulting decrease in forest cover. The book is an interesting view of the Southern Hemisphere and a further approach to "how to reconstruct the past".

REFERENCES PIPERNO D.R. (1988): Phytolith analysis: an archaeological and geological perspective. Academic Press, San Diego. RAPP G. & MULHOLLANDG. (eds.) (1992): Phytolith systematics. Plenum Press, New York.

Josef Kyncl J.B. Harborne: PHYTOCHEMICAL METHODS. A guide to modern techniques of plant analysis. 3rd ed.; Chapman & Hall, London etc., 1998, XIV+302 pp. Price GBP 79.-, ISBN 0-412-57260-5 According to the author's words, no new method has appeared since the time of the previous edition. Nevertheless, the existing methods have developed and been improved. The book summarizes new developments introduced to existing techniques, which have become widely used in analysis of plant material constituents. It is designed both for students and experienced researchers, as it provides a general outline of the techniques suitable for analysis of particular plant components, with emphasis on chromatographic methods, as well as problems which can be encountered during the procedures. New references on books and reviews concerning both the methods and listings of the known compounds complete the literature list. The introductory chapter is a general overview of methods used in extraction, separation and identification of plant constituents. It describes the history as well as the latest methodological introductions to the technique. The following chapters cover all classes of compounds, of low molecular weight as well as macromolecules occurring in plants. They are divided on the basis of their biosynthetic origin, solubility, and presence of certain functional groups. Thus, particular chapters deal with phenolic compounds, terpenoids, organic acids, lipids and other related compounds derived biosynthetically from acetate, nitrogen compounds, water soluble sacharides and their derivatives and lastly macromolecules of plants. As the number of structures produced by plants is huge, the introduction to each chapter contains a brief outline of structural variations occurring within particular compound classes. In these chapters researchers can find recommended methods of isolation, purification and estimation of plant constituents, with emphasis on the relatively simple and readily reproducible methods, which are described in considerable detail. These include in particular paper chromatography or thin layer chromatography and, in the case of volatile compounds, gas liquid chromatography. Other possible methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the compound studied are briefly mentioned. Literature references at the end of each section provide the researcher with more detailed information on the subject. In spite of the detailed description, some experience and knowledge of laboratory techniques are required. Practical experiments added to each chapter, as in the previous edition, help the student to develop the skills needed and can also be adapted for laboratory courses. The book is a useful guide to laboratory techniques suitable for students and scientists from all fields of research who deal with different classes of plant substances.

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