Evolution of Nervous Control Arranged and edited by Bernard B. Brodie and Allan D. Bass (review)

The main part of the atlas consists ofthe conventional coronal sections dirough die brain. The coverage, from the apex ofthe medulla to the head ofthe caudate nucleus, is more extensive than that of most other atlases. Photomicrographs ofthe sections, four times original size, are reproduced in millimeter intervals. For each picture, one-half is based on a Weil-strained and the odier on a Nissl-stained section. Line drawings of die sections with the nuclei and fiber tracts labeled are conveniently placed on die same page. It is unfortunate that the reproductions of the Nissl sections are not of higher quality. However, the authors stated that this atlas is intended to be a guide for localization of major structures ofthe brain and not for cytoarchitectural studies. This book is indispensable for anyone who works onthe central nervous system ofthe dog. It may also prove useful as a manual for beginners to study the subcortical structures of die mammalian brain. K. L. Chow University ofChicago Evolution ofNervous Control. Arranged and edited by Bernard B. Brodie and Allan D. Bass. Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1959- $575· The title ofdiis book is somewhat misleading since much ofdie content has to do with the evolutionary parameter only to the extent that it may lie imbedded in a discussion of many biological matters. Its explicit exposure in the contents is relatively rare and often unclear. Collections of short stories sometimes take their titles from one of the stories; I have never objected to such a procedure where fiction is concerned, but titles ofscientific books should be more appropriate. Nonetheless, since competent scientists usually do have something worthwhile to say, die book does contain information. In spots it is interestingly written, and sometimes it is even provocative. Perhaps failure to make a coherent story about the "evolution of nervous control" is just another reminder of how little we understand ofbiological issues as broad as diis one. In a briefintroductory note, Sinnott, seeking a "Common Basis for Development and Behavior in Organisms," argues that mental processes are primarily regulations and that "the control ofbehavior is simply general protoplasmic control at its highest level." Interestingly enough, Mirsky, in the final chapter, "Psychoanalysis and Human Behavior: Experimental Approaches," re-emphasizes this theme by recalling Freud's conception of "the organism to be in a constant state of flux in its efforts to maintain a steady state." Mirsky'scontributionmakes goodreading. It states some ofdie basictenetsofdie psychoanalytic approach and gives examples ofevidence for them, all with rather little obfuscating jargon. It is a clear paper, well organized and instructive. Niu discusses chemical induction. Whedier a protein or an RNA fraction is primarily responsible for induction and whether there are structure-specific RNA-inducers are two problems critically and interestingly handled. 572 Book Reviews Perspectives in Biology and Medicine · Summer i960 Prosser presents some evidence diat local graded responses may be more primitive dian the all-or-nodiing propagated impulse, and he raises other interesting points. This paper is sometimes provocative but dilute. Such a statement as "In all complex integrative centers the general pattern ofresponse to sensory stimulation seems to be modulation of pre-existing rhythm" is an important enough generalization to deserve more critical examination than it receives. The writer says interesting things which he is competent to support or destroy, but he drops diem without a satisfying discussion. Grundfest's paper on neural conduction is extensive and informative, although it does not add greatly to what he has written elsewhere. Koelle has written an introductory lecture for medical students on neurohumoral agents. Brady has contributed a report of an "attempt to develop an animal laboratory approach to behavioral problems in neuropsychiatry." He describes a drug-testing device and some ofthe results ofits use in connection widi reserpine administration and changes in plasma corticosteroids. Page's paper on neurochemistry is essentially a collection oftechnical anecdotes, but honestly so. One regrets, as noted earlier, diat more broadly integrated stories cannot be told and substantiated in these areas, but this is simply the present status of the field. However, the attempt to account for apparent slowness in development ofneurochemistry is unconvincing. The statements that in 1931...