84 BOOK REV~WS

and Francolinus francolinus) are also discussed, and the causes of their disappearance (mainly due to heavy hunting) are pointed out.

Several of the studies described in SOS Fauna have initiated important conservation projects in Italy, which have led, for instance, to the full protection of the last Apennine wolves, the enlargement of the Abruzzo National Park boundaries, and to proposals to protect some especially valuable areas such as the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park and the proposed Gennargentu National Park. Bearing in mind the almost complete lack of information in earlier publications, and of precise data on the worsening wildlife situation in Italy, this authoritative up-to- date text book dealing with this neglected subject is to be greatly welcomed. Many excellent colour and monochrome plates, together with drawings, diagrams and maps, make this an especially attractive volume.

F. CASSOLA

~2cologie Physiologic et I~conomie des Eaux Saum/ttres. By A. Kiener. Masson, Paris, 1978. xii + 220pp. 77 figures. 16 × 24cm.

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This book is the first of a series on the biology of marine habitats. It is largely concerned with an introduction to the ecology of coastal estuaries and lagoons but it does also include a brief consideration of inland saline habitats. The text is divided into six chapters, the first of which is concerned with the classification of brackish waters. This is, I suppose, an obvious starting point, but one fraught with difficulties. I did not find the treatment particularly helpful and this was not improved by the quality of Figures 7-10 concerned with the chemical composition of brackish waters. Two chapters are devoted to brief descriptions of brackish water communities in various parts of the world with perhaps a bias towards examples from France or former French colonies. The only plant communities to receive any detailed consideration are mangroves. Two further chapters are concerned largely with animal ecology and physiology, the final chapter dealing with productivity with particular reference to fisheries. A feature of the book is the extensive bibliography attached to each chapter. In some cases more modern references could have been selected, but on the whole these bibliographies provide a reasonable entry into a large literature. The book is on the whole well produced, but the quality of some of the figures and photographs leaves something to be desired. Some of the figures are unnecessary. Figure 3, which is a map showing the distribution of research laboratories in France concerned with brackish water research; is an example and typifies a rather parochial attitude which pervades the book.

JOHN LEE