REVIEWS 491 



before by a slight description of each species depicted. These consist mainly 

 of citations from well-known authors, but even so we prefer them to the notes 

 in Mr. Thorburn's British Birds. 



The paintings are typical of the artist, a remark that makes praise super- 

 fluous. Perhaps the most pleasing of all in the volume under review is the 

 Stoat in winter pelage ; yet there are exceptions. The picture of the Wild Cat 

 is the most disappointing that we have seen from Mr. Thorburn's gifted brush, 

 while the pen-and-ink sketches leave one with the impression that the artist 

 is not at all happy in the use of this medium. 



Lovers and students of mammals will welcome this very fine series of 

 accurate and beautiful pictures which fill a gap that has so long been felt in 

 mammalian literature. 



W. R. 



The Natural History o£ South Africa. By F. W. Fitzsimmons, F.Z.S., 

 F.R.M.S., etc. Four Volumes. [Vol. I, pp. xix + 178, with 58 

 illustrations ; Vol. II, pp. xi + 195, with 48 illustrations ; Vol. Ill, 

 pp. xiii -1- 278, with 63 illustrations ; and Vol. IV, pp. xix -f- 270, with 

 61 illustrations.] (London : Longmans Green & Co. Vols. I and II, 

 1919, price 95. each. Vols. Ill and IV. 1920, price 125. 6d. each.) 



The individual volumes of this series deal with the following : Vol. I. 

 Primates, Chiroptera, Carnivora (including the Felidce and Cynolurus) ; Vol. 

 II. Carnivora (the remaining species); Vol. III. Ungulata; and Vol. IV. 

 Insectivora, Rodentia, Cetacea, and Edentata. 



The author is well known as an authority on the mammals of South 

 Africa, and in his position as Director of the Port Elizabeth Museum has had 

 extremely good opportunities for studying these forms at first hand. A 

 glance at these volumes will at once convince the reader that he has made 

 the most of the opportunities and is, in addition, a good photographer and 

 first-class naturalist. A large amount of the matter is original, but previous 

 accounts have been considered. The illustrations are very good, and most of 

 them from the author's own photographs, and many of them give a clear idea 

 of the natural surroundings of the animals as well as the creatures themselves. 

 The reading matter is lucid, and contains valuable notes taken in the field. 

 To most people there is a fascination surrounding the beasts of Africa, and this 

 will be enhanced by a book like the present, which presents its matter in a very 

 palatable form. The volumes are invaluable for naturalists visiting South 

 Africa, and also for anyone wishing an accurate account of the mammals. 

 Each volume is provided with a good index and an outline of classification, 

 and another good feature is the inclusion of a list of all the species dealt with 

 and references to the paper describing them. 



The title seems to suggest that these volumes are to be followed by others, 

 and in view of the enjoyment they have provided I sincerely hope this is the 

 case. C. H. O. 



Mountain and Moorland. By Prof. J. Arthur Thomson, M.A., LL.D. [Pp. 

 viii + 176, with 7 illustrations.] (London : Society for Promoting 

 Christian Knowledge, 1921. Price 65. net.) 



In Mountain and Moorland, the latest addition to the Nature Lover's Series 

 edited by W. P. Pycraft, we have as our guide Prof. J. Arthur Thomson, 

 than whom it would be difficult to find a more distinguished and interesting 

 companion in pursuit of nature study. The adaptable nature of all living 

 creatures to their ever-changing environment is brought home to all readers 

 of this little book, which we only reluctantly lay down when we arrive at the 

 index. The author makes the rocks, streams, tarns, moors, and meadows 

 unfold their mysteries and deliver up their secrets. 



Whether it is the wonderful union of some symbiotic algae and a fungus, 



