(1) Handbuch der biologischen Arbeitsmethoden (2) Practical Plant Breeding

Abstract

IN a recent issue of NATURE (138, 972; 1936) there appeared a letter directing attention to the neglect of genetics by British universities. The letter was received with the apathy characteristic of British biology where genetics is concerned. No one denied the need for genetics in universities, but only one correspondent supported it. Meanwhile we have come to rely on the U.S.S.R. and the United States to lead the world in genetical research. Although plant breeding has now become one of the foremost activities in the agriculture of the British Empire, and despite the stimulus provided by such institutions as those at Edinburgh and at Merton, many universities offer no more than half a dozen lectures on primitive Mendelism under the title "Evolution and Heredity", and practical teaching in genetics is confined to three or four departments. The four works which come under review in this notice should remove one of the last excuses for shirking practical classes in genetics.

(1) Handbuch der biologischen Arbeitsmethoden

Herausgegeben von Prof. Dr. Emil Aberhalden. Lief. 466. Abt. 9; Methoden zur Erforschung der Leistungen des tierischen Organismus, Teil 3, Heft 7 (Schluss). Methoden der Vererbungsforschung. Methoden zur Zuchtung von Drosophila von G. A. Lebedeff; Methoden der Erforschung der Vererbungsvorgänge bei Pflanzen, von F. G. Brieger; Methoden und Ergebnisse bei der Zuchtung von Tetriginæ, von Robert K. Nabours. Pp. 115 − 1402 + xiii. (Berlin und Wien: Urban und Schwarzenberg, 1937.) 17 gold marks.

(2) Practical Plant Breeding

By W. J. C. Lawrence. Pp. 155. (London: George Allen and Unwin, Ltd., 1937.) 5s. 6d. net.