B. G. Warner (editor), 1990.

This publication consists of the collected reprints of thirteen articles that have appeared in Geoscience Canada over the past three years. Because these are introductory or summary reviews, rather than research reports, they have not dated badly, and are still topical and relevant. It is useful to have these articles in a collection, as it allows ready comparison of the techniques, and the differences in emphasis and interpretative approaches can be evaluated.

The topics covered comprise: freshwater algae (J. P. Smol), fungi (K. A. Pirozynski), bryophytes (J. A. Janssens), palynology (G. M. MacDonald), plant macrofossils (B. G. Warner), freshwater sponges (F. W. Harrison), cladocera (B. J. Hann), freshwater ostracodes (L. D. Delorme), non-marine molluscs (B. B. Miller and A. F. Bajc), beetles (A. V. Morgan and A. Morgan), vertebrates (C. S. Churcher and M.C. Wilson), and other fossils (B. G. Warner). All articles have essentially the same format: an introduction, a brief historical overview, a review of field and laboratory methods, followed by a discussion of applications and examples of palaeoenvironmental interpretation, which is generally the most interesting and valuable section. All articles deal with terrestrial or freshwater indicators of Quaternary environments.

Most articles are quite short but all are well-illustrated by both diagrams and black-and-white photographs. As expected for a GAC publication, the presentation and production are excellent. Each article also contains a lengthy bibliography which would be a good starting point for anyone wishing to research a particular technique in greater depth. Although most articles touch briefly on the historical development of their subject, the emphasis throughout is on modern methods of analysis and interpretation. This is reflected in the reference lists which are dominated by citations from the 1980s.

Anyone interested in Quaternary palaeoecology or environmental reconstruction will find this book valuable. It would also provide a good text for an undergraduate course in Late Quaternary palaeoenvironments.

At only $20 (CAN) a copy, this publication is a real bargain. Copies may be obtained from: Geological Association of Canada, Publications, Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X5, Canada