Genes, Plants, and People

Waksman's classification are laid down on a broad morphologic basis, whereas the species determinations are more largely dependent upon physiologic behavior. The erection of the ordinal group, the Actinomycetales intermediate and distinct from the Eubacteriales and the Eumycetes, reflect the author's feeling that this is a heterogeneous assemblage of organisms which are perhaps not too closely related. The volume contains extensive sections on variation and mutation, metabolism, and enzymatic activity, and the antagonistic effects of Actinomycetes upon other microorganisms. The ecology of the group and their role as plant and animal pathogens are thoroughly discussed, and an essentially complete bibliography of all work on the group presented. This volume will be invaluable to the microbiologist who wishes to study the group critically or use them in industrial applications, and it will be of more than casual interest to anyone interested in the interrelationships of various groups of microorganisms.