Brain and Behavior in Cephalopods

from the point of view of "molecular biology"-the interactions of nucleic acid structure, protein structure and enzyme action in bringing about cell infection and virus replication. Enough is included on protein and nucleic acid chemistry, and on the biosynthesis of these substances in non-viral systems, to make the train of argument intelligible to the reader who has a good basis in science but no specialized knowledge of the field. Passing reference is made to viruses other than TMV, but much fascinating material which might be encompassed by the title, for example, the roles of the tail components of the T-even phages in accomplishing penetration of the bacterial cell, is not to be found. In a style that is informal, irreverent and occasionally facetious, Dr. Fraenkel-Conrat leads us from Iwanowski's filtration experiments to the cracking of the genetic code. He even throws in some advice to the budding investigator on how to get to the top. It is refreshing to find an account of a complex subject which is simple and at the same time authoritative and up-to-date. The book is well produced, and includes some excellent photographic illustrations. Octopuses and squid are, of course, imposing, multi-armed, ocean-dwelling invertebrates which have fascinated man since antiquity. They belong to the class, Cephalopoda which, unlike other Molluscs, do not normally have shells but depend for survival instead upon active patterns of attack and escape behavior. Wells' little monograph argues that these terrible beasts are also surprisingly intelligent and have adapted remarkably well within a limited ecological range with rather unpromising biological material. While the author claims that he is concerned with the general problem of "behavior as a means of finding out about nervous organization," his book is, in fact, limited to a description of three species, Octopus, Loligo (Squid), and Sepia (Cuttlefish), although brief references are made to other Cephalopods such as Eledone and Argonauta; in addition, there is a somewhat gratuitous chapter on a "living fossil," Nautilus. Careful observation and experimentation by the author, often along with his wife, and by others like Boycott, Sutherland, and Young give firm support to the majority of Wells' conclusions and there is little theoretical speculation. An account of the gross anatomy of Cephalopods precedes a discussioll of the mechanisms of locomotor, attack, escape, and reproductive behavior. Because these beasts have highly developed vertebrate-like eyes (which normally operate monocularly), it is not surprising that they …