John Troughton

I came across this book quite recently, although it was printed in 1973 and I realised that I had known the author ...and, in fact, had known his wife since we were toddlers. I'd known that John was a plant physiologist but I hadn't realised that he'd been involved in producing a book like this with electron micrographs of a range of plants, fungi, algae and ferns. I wish that I had had this sort of reference when I was working on Zea mays. There was some information around but not at the level of detail in the pictures.
I loved it. Though, I have to admit that at the same time I came across this book, I also found one by John Lott called "A scanning electron Microscope study of the Green Plants". And I think it might just be superior to John Troughton's work. The photographs in Lott's book seem to be clearer and, maybe better composed ...though the difference's are small. Lott's book also has many photos of Zea mays , in which I have a special interest.
It was fascinating for me to see in these extreme close ups, the was extrusions on the surface of leaves and, frequently, the deposits of crystalline silica. (No wonder one can get grass cuts from various species).
Actually, now that I'm going through Troughton's book again as I write this review, I realise just how good it is and what a nice selection of plants (plus fungi, lichens, algae) that have been included. I enjoyed the book very much and wonder what marvels more modern studies and instruments have been able to make in the intervening 50 years? I give it 4 stars.… (plus d'informations)