The book by PRECHT, CHRISTOPHERSEN and HENSEL referred to in the text as the first edition was published in German in 1955 with the title Temperatur und Leben. The present volume is a revised version of this book, constructed along the same lines, but it cannot properly be called the second edition because it is in English. Yet another difference is in the number of contributors, who now include two microbiologists, seven botanists, three zoophysiologists, one biochemist, and three human physiologists. We have again endeavored to treat as many problems as possible but the main theme is still the adaptation of organisms to changing temperatures. What was conceived as a chapter on physical and chemical aspects by Professor L. LUMPER of GieBen will be published later as a supplementary volume. A special effort has been made to cover the copious literature published since 1955 though not, of course, exhaustively. The various chapters were completed at different times and those written earlier have footnotes referring to subsequent literature. The botanical contributions by W. LARCHER, K. NAPP-ZINN and A. PISEK were translated by Mrs. JOY WIESER; Dr. J. M. AUGENFELD was the translator of those on poikilotherms by H. D. JANKOWSKY, H. LAUDIEN and H. PRECHT as well as of those on homeotherms by H. HENSEL, K. BRUCK and P. RATHS. The section on limiting temperatures by H. PRECHT was translated by HAZEL PROSSER. We are grateful to them for undertaking this work.

Table of Contents:
Poikilothermic Organisms.- Microorganisms.- I. Basic Aspects of Temperature Action on Microorganisms.- II. Genetic Regulation of Temperature Responses.- References.- Plants.- I. Plant Temperatures and Energy Budget.- II. The Normal Temperature Range.- III. Limiting Temperatures for Life Functions.- References.- Animals.- I. Body Temperature and External Temperature.- II. The Normal Temperature Range.- III. Limiting Temperatures of Life Functions.- IV. Activity, Behavior etc..- References.- Homeothermic Organisms.- I. Homeothermy and Poikilothermy.- II. Body Temperatures.- A. The Temperature Field of the Body.- B. Body Temperature and External Temperature.- C. Periodic Fluctuations in Body Temperature.- III. Principles of Thermoregulation.- A. Concept of Regulation.- B. Biological Temperature Regulation.- C. Disturbances of Thermoregulation.- D. Interference of Regulations.- IV. Production of Body Heat.- A. Basal Metabolism.- B. Heat Production and Body Size.- C. Heat Production and External Temperature.- D. The Modes and Sites of Extra Heat Production.- E. Brown Adipose Tissue and Its Significance for Nonshivering Thermogenesis.- V. Heat Exchange with the Environment.- A. Pathways of Heat Transport.- B. Physiological Regulation of Heat Flux.- VI. Nervous and Hormonal Factors in Temperature Regulation.- A. Central Nervous Structures of Temperature Regulation.- B. Control of Effector Systems.- C. Central Transmitting Substances and Thermoregulation.- D. Peripherally Induced Processes.- E. Body Temperature as the Controlled Variable. Displacements of the “Set Point”.- F. Body Temperature during Work.- VII. Cutaneous Thermoreception.- A. Thermal Sensations in Man.- B. Neurophysiology of Thermoreceptors.- C. Comparison of Various Approaches to Thermoreceptor Function.-VIII. Long-Term Thermal Adaptation.- A. Adaptation to Cold.- B. Adaptation to Heat.- C. Endocrine System and Thermal Adaptation.- D. Artificial Thermal Adaptation.- IX. Temperature Limits of Life.- A. Limits of Regulation in Heat.- B. Hyperthermia.- C. Limits of Regulation in Cold.- D. Hypothermia.- X. Temperature and Development.- A. Spermatogenesis.- B. Effects of Temperature on Growth.- C. Ontogenetic Development of Homeothermy.- D. Tolerance of Hypothermia by Homeothermic Species in the Course of Development.- XI. Hibernation and Related Phenomena.- A. Distribution of Hibernation and Other Lethargic States.- B. Torpidity among Birds.- C. The Lethargy of Bats.- D. True Hibernation.- XII. Temperature and Geographic Distribution of Homeotherms.- A. General Remarks.- B. Temperature Conditions in Various Biotopes.- C. Temperature and Migration.- D. Special Characteristics of Chiroptera.- E. Physiological Causes of Geographic Temperature Limits.- F. Ecogeographical Rules.- G. Eurythermic and Stenothermic Species.- H. Adaptation to Various Climates.- I. Temperature and Productivity of Domestic Animals.- References.