Rutter, N.W.

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REVIEWS 223 The  author achieved  his objective, summarizing new and old  information about  the  eight species. Valuable  personal observations gathered as  director of animal care in the Tierpark Berlin  and on  a number  of expeditions in Europe and Asia are presented in addition to observations of others. Thus, con- siderable previously  unpublished or obscure information  is provided, which  is the  major  strength  of  this book. The literature is  widely  reviewed  but  not ex- haustively so. The sources of observations are not always adequately de- scribed to  allow  the reader to judge the  reliability of the data. Fischer  makes relatively  few  general interpretations; some of  his interpretations  are simplistic,  This third edition has 46 more  pages  than  the  second  edition  and features more  excellent photographs. The  book  reads  easily and, as do  other books in this series,  represents  a valuable reference  source  for biologists  and naturalists interested in sea eagles and particularly the  whitetailed  sea eagle. Josef K. Schrnutz lke Arctic Institute of North America The University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, Canada 7 2 N  IN4 PRESENT ADDRESS: Department of Biology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N OW0 THE ROGER J.E. BROWN  MEMORIAL VOLUME. Edited by H . M .  FRENCH. Proceedings, Fourth Canadian Permafrost  Conference.  Ottawa: National Research  Council  of Canada, 1982. 594 p. The profound  influence of Roger J .E. Brown on the development of perma- frost  studies in Canada  is unquestioned. The  quality of his research is manifested in the  Proceedings  of  the Fourth Canadian Permafrost  Conference, where  Roger’s  work is quoted in all  but  two  papers dealing with  climate  and permafrost, his  special interest. It is appropriate that  the  Proceedings  volume be dedicated to him,  and  that an  extensive  obituary, bibliography  and  photos from Roger’s  career be included. The first thing  that struck me about  this  volume is  the  diversity of the 65 papers and  the large number  of  people now involved in permafrost research. Although the conference was Canadian and by far the greatest number of papers are authored by Canadians, many international  workers  participated, indicating the Conference’s importance. Papers are categorized into seven sections. The first two sections, dealing with Climate and Permafrost and Soils and Permafrost, centre on a variety of themes including processes, distribution, thermal regimes, influence  of terrain  factors on distribution and microclimate, and relict permafrost. Most papers in  the  section  on  Hydrology in Permafrost Regions are  on  various  aspects of icings, although surface water movement and isotope variations  are  treated. Stimulated by oil and gas ex- ploration, the Geophysics and Subsea Permafrost section contains papers mostly on physical characteristics,  distribution, and  thickness  of  permafrost below the Beaufort Sea, determined by geophysical methods. In addition, papers on acoustic testing of frozen  soils and electro-magnetic methods for mapping permafrost along pipeline corridors are presented. In a departure from previous permafrost  conferences,  a section on Gas Hydrates and Per- mafrost is included.  The interest in this  timely  subject  is  indicated by the  inclu- sion  of  nine  papers  on a variety of subjects including  the  development and pro- duction of gas  hydrate deposits. The  next  section  is  on  Laboratory  Testing of Frozen Soils. Papers deal with strain, compression, deformation, creep and relaxation  tests on various frozen materials. The  last  section  on  Engineering Applications in Permafrost  Areas is the largest, containing 16 papers. Aspects of frost heave, thaw, heat flow, and electrical freezing  potentials are  treated, as are methods and  techniques  utilized in various engineering activities in per-  mafrost regions. The volume will appeal to professionals and students who want to keep abreast of  the  latest  results in all areas of permafrost  research. As  with  many conference proceedings volumes dealing with a general subject, specialists with  narrow interests  or persons  with a  cursory interest in permafrost may  not find it necessary  to own. Generally, the  papers are well  written and illustrated. The editor has  done a good job. The  papers are  arranged in a logical  sequence and the illustrations are well  presented and easy  to read. All in all, the  production  of  the book is first rate. N. W. Rutter Department of Geology The University of Alberra Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3 

The Roger J.E. Brown Memorial Volume, edited by H.M. French

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The Roger J.E. Brown Memorial Volume, edited by H.M. French

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