Iodine and Plant Life.Review by: J. G. BoswellNew Phytologist, Vol. 50, No. 2 (Aug., 1951), p. 274Published by: Wiley on behalf of the New Phytologist TrustStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2429186 .

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274 Reviews The taxonomy and morphology of the Actinomycetes have always presented peculiar difficulties

to the microbiologist. In the three chapters he devotes to these subjects the author gives a complete historical review and a clean-cut exposition of modern views. The system of classification he proposes can only be judged by workers of the future, but it has the merit of simplicity and is so constructed that future modifications can be easily superimposed on it.

The chapter on variations and mutations which follows is perhaps the least satisfactory in the book. The many types of variation shown by the Actinomycetes are reported, but little attempt is made at interpretation or analysis in terms of similar work on the Bacteria and Fungi. Indeed the tendency to report rather than interpret is a characteristic of several sections of the book.

There follow chapters on metabolism, enzymes, antagonistic properties, distribution in nature, decomposition of plant and animal residues and on actinomycetes pathogenic to plants and animals, including man. These chapters contain a wealth of information for those interested in the broad field of microbiology. The nutrition of the Actinomycetes is fully covered, but a section on methods of isolation and culture of these organisms would have been a valuable addition for the non- specialist.

There are several spelling errors and the consistent use of Septae for Septa is not pleasing. The one omission noted by the reviewer is in the reference to the root nodules of the alder, where the recent work of von Plotho (Arch. Microbiol. 194I) and Roberg (Jb. wiss. Bot. I938) is not mentioned. But these minor criticisms cannot detract from the value of the book which is one that no micro- biologist, soil worker or pathologist can afford to be without. NOEL F. ROBERTSON

Wild Flowers of the Cape Peninsula. By MARY MAYTHAM KIDD. 52 x 81 in. Pp. xvii, with 94 colour plates and one map. London: Oxford University Press. I950. 63s.

The great variety of wild flowers which may be found on the Cape Peninsula has always been an attraction to visitors to Cape Town. It does not pretend to be a botanical work (such as the recently published Flora of the Cape Peninsula), but a popular book illustrating the more interesting or attractive wild flowers.

About z6oo species of flowering plants have been recorded from the Cape Peninsula, of which 814 are figured in this book. The colours of these flowers have been faithfully reproduced, but detail of interest to the botanist is often lacking. In view of the high standard of artistry in the plates, the execution of the frontispiece map is disappointing.

The illustrations are not arranged according to a taxonomic system, but mainly according to the time of year in which the plants may be found in flower. No botanical descriptions accompany the plates and only very short notes are given about the habit, habitat and flowering period. The absence of keys and descriptions allows the identification of specimens only by comparison with the illustrations.

Miss Kidd's book should satisfy the demand of visiting travellers and residents in South Africa for a well-illustrated, popular book on Cape wild flowers. However, its high price may prevent it from having as wide a popularity as it deserves. E. A. C. L. E. SCHELPE

Iodine and Plant Life. Bibliography, I8I3-I949. IO X 71 in. Pp. I I4, with I text-figure. London: Chilean Iodine Educational Bureau. I950.

This book is the first of a series of annotated bibliographies on the role of iodine in biology and medicine. The 794 papers which are listed and briefly summarized cover the period 1813-1949. Prefaced by an Introductory Review the papers are grouped into four main divisions, Marine and Land Plants, Micro-organisms and Plant Protection. Each division is further subdivided so that papers on a particular topic are easily found; further, the indices appear to be complete, and there is a useful key to the Abbreviated Titles of Periodicals.

Altogether a well-designed bibliography of considerable value, both to those engaged in research work on any of the problems reviewed and to those who are concerned in translating observations made in research work into industrial processes and into marketable products. J. G. BOSWELL

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