Laboratory Manual of Biochemistry

besetting the investigator are great, and it is difficult to be sure that the embryo as finally prepared is in good condition, receiving an adequate blood and oxygen supply. Furthermore, early generalizations based upon the study of one animal species have often proved to be untrue for others, for nature has not contrived that the same ends shall be accomplished by similar means. Tl hus, so apparently simple a matter as the closure of the ductus arteriosus at birth is accomplished by a flap valve in the dog and rabbit, by a sphincter under nervous control in the sheep, and by a slow process resembling endar-teritis obliterans in man. Again, a dilute solution of hemoglobin of the fetus at full term takes up more oxygen than does that of the mother in most mammals, but less oxygen than that of the mother in man. In the nervous system of the amphibian, as was shown long ago by Coghill, local reflexes develop out of larger behavior patterns which are the first to be laid down, whereas the studies of Windle show that in the mammal this process is reversed, for the first reactions are relatively simple reflexes which are entirely unintegrated. The task of bringing order into this field is therefore no easy assignment. Dr. Windle is to be congratulated on having done an excellent job. This Laboratory Manual is written to provide simple experiments which will demonstrate certain phases of the subject matter covered in the author's textbook on Biochemistry. The Manual may also be used with any standard textbook on the subject of Biochemistry. In addition to a large number of experiments which meet the needs of two semesters of laboratory work in Biochemistry, the Manual includes an Appendix with directions for the preparation of solutions for laboratory use. This book attempts to cover the entire field of biology and is a zoological compendium of the survey type. Its scope is so wide that it fails to make even a pretense of thoroughness or scholarly treatment, and with this is combined a total inadequacy of material and a large number of errors. Moreover , there is a strong attempt to place biology within the realms of an uplift movement. As an example of this I would quote the following paragraph from page 23: "A conscientious and extensive study of the natural sciences will aid us in one of the …