Book Review: Neuron Properties in Insects

Abstract

We are waiting for a second volume of this work because this beautifully produced volume lays all the ground- work but covers almost none of the exciting areas of recent discovery in insect neurobiology. There is an in- comparable account of the cellular structure of the nervous system, espe- cially of glia and ultrastructure, by Nancy Lane, followed by careful and most useful accounts of axonal con- duction and central synaptic transmis- sion in insects by Yves Pichon and Jean-Jacques Callec. The chapter by Treherne on the environment and func- tion of nerve cells shows exemplary moderation in both conclusions and volume. These, and the section on neu- romuscular transmission by Peter Usherwood, are very solid, bread-and- butter productions by up-and-coming experts. That is refreshing: they are not reiterations of battle cries by old campaigners, but useful summaries by middle-of-the-road researchers who are with it. That is the kind of summary that is handy to have on the shelf.