Search

When asked by the General Editor to prepare a book-length treatment concerning the nature of the Canary Islands, our aims were rather ambitious. A general monograph was to be written, embracing all the disciplines of natural history applicable to these islands, and over twenty scientists were approached for contributions. However scientists are'time machines'; our proposed list of contents has changed a good many times. Cooporation of other authors was gained and, finally, a fairly rounded project appeared revealing different and lesser known aspects of Canary Island Nature. Since Centuries the Canary Islands have attracted the attention of travellers. Earliest reports may be traced back some two thousand years but real scientific investigation began about 1800, the time of Alexander von Humboldt and his visit to the islands; older reports are scarce, sometimes rather confusing because of geographic inaccuracies. But the 19th Century will remain as the century of fundamental explorations, connected with names such as Leopold von Buch, F. C. MacGregor, Sabin Berthelot, Philip Barker Webb, J. Viera y Clavijo, F. von Fritsch, C. Bolle, D. H. Christ, O. Simony, G. Hartung, H. Mayer etc., all familiar and intimately connected with our knowledge of the natural history of the archipelago. Even the much criticised Ernst Haeckel has provided us with lively descriptions of his visit to one of the'Fortunate Islands'. The 20th Century brought new interest, new fields to be explored, and new expeditions to the islands.

In 1969 volume I of'Arboles Ex6ticos'appeared in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, published in Spanish by the Island Council (Cabildo Insular). Volume II was to have dealt with a further 100 or so Dicotyledons, and volume III to have closed the cycle with Gymnosperms and the tree-like Monocotyledons. Neither of the latter having been published it was suggested that a totally revised and enlarged version of the first book be prepared for Dr. W. Junk, Publishers, The Hague. We are most obliged to Mr. S. P. Bakker and the Board of Directors for their interest in the present work, hoping that it will fill a gap and help both residents and visitors to get to know the amazingly rich exotic flora that is to be encountered in Mediterranean and Canarian parks and gardens. A second volume is in preparation and will concentrate on the bushes and shrubby trees left out in this one. In Flowering Trees in Subtropical Gardens special attention is given to species found in Canary gardens. As, however, most trees described are widely distributed in other regions with a similar Mediterranean climate, it is hoped that this guide may be of use in gardens of the subtropics in general. Several of the species selected here are little known in gardens, hardly ever found illustrated in current reference books and have therefore been included for interest's sake.

Lymphocyte Differentiation, Recognition, and Regulation provides an overview of the state of knowledge on cellular immunology. The focus is on animal work than on studies in man, although in certain areas human lymphocyte biology has been discussed in some detail. The book attempts to integrate information from diverse areas of cellular immunology, immunogenetics, and immunochemistry to form some cohesive concepts that can be perhaps utilized as a working foundation for students and investigators in various areas of immunology. The book begins with a general description of some of techniques and principles underlying the systems frequently employed in cellular immunology. This is followed by detailed analyses of lymphocyte differentiation, receptor function, and regulatory processes. The main points that emerge from such analyses are that the immune system is an infinitely complex and finely tuned network of cells, receptors, and molecules which interact with one another in a genetically controlled manner that is manifested ultimately in the process known as differentiation.

The Antibody Molecule reviews the literature leading to current knowledge of the structure of immunoglobulins. The book begins by outlining some of the basic structural characteristics of immunoglobulins without citing the references on which the information is based. Separate chapters follow covering the chemical nature of the active site of an antibody molecule and mechanisms of interaction with hapten; the general structural features and properties of the various classes of human immunoglobulin; and amino acid sequences of human and mouse L chains and of human and rabbit H chains. Subsequent chapters deal with the evolution of the immunoglobulin classes; special properties of mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, and horse immunoglobulins; idiotypic specificities of immunglobulins; and the genetic control of antibodies. This book is meant for immunologists who have not personally observed the development of this exciting period in the history of immunology. It will also provide useful supplemental reading for the serious student or investigator who wishes to become familiar with the nature of the antibody molecule, its genetic control, and mode of action.

Antigens, Lymphoid Cells, and the Immune Response deals with the nature and properties of antigens and with the functional anatomy and cell physiology of the mammalian lymphoid system which responds to antigens. The book discusses the central questions in cellular immunology; the antigens and the afferent limb of the immune response; and antibodies and the afferent limb of the immune response. The text also describes the organ distribution of antigens; the functional anatomy of the lymphoid system; and the behavior patterns of lymphoid cells. The microscopic and electron microscopic distribution of antigen in lymphoid organs; the interaction of antigens with cells of the reticuloendothelial system; and the interaction of antigen with lymphoid cells are also considered. The book further tackles the role of antigen in immunological tolerance; antibody production and tolerance dissociated; and antigen and lymphoid cells.