PEESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION 1). 67 



slioiild be preserved under conditions which will not permit of 

 their being a source of hindrance or danger to human beings. 



( )n the Value of Zoological Illustrations in School and 

 Popular Books. 



Over forty years ago a scientifically illustrated school 

 geography was publislied in the United States. Fortunately 

 tor me, a copy tell into my hands, and from it I gained, not 

 only a vivid, but a correct impression of the zoological features 

 of physical Africa. In the accompanying reproduction of the 

 page relating to Africa (Plate XXIX) the outstanding types 

 are grouped around descriptive matter in a way that could not 

 but serve as a wholesome stimulant to the imagination and 

 inspire a desire to know more about the animals and the country 

 in which they live. As an illustration, it is quite the best 

 thing' that has ever come to my notice in a school book. I deem 

 it worthy of reproduction because it gives a good idea of many 

 of the animals whose fate is at stake in our " big game " 

 problem, and also because it may be helpful to those who 

 have the responsibility of pre]Kiring school books. It is often 

 through a medium like this that a love for knowledge for its 

 own sake is inspired. Animal life makes a powerful ai)peal to 

 young and old alike, and illustrations should be used to the 

 utmost to enliven what may otberwise be dull and 

 uninteresting subjects — zoology and geography. 



In this connection, I would plead for greater regard for 

 tiuth in illustrating children's picture books, which are 

 published in such lavish fashion. Pictures of animals 

 distorted into impossible attitudes, arrayed like human as well 

 as other kinds of beings and attempting the weirdest i)ossible 

 pranks, are too often the rule. In some instances there is no 

 doubt a lack of exact knowledge on the part of the artist, and 

 an appeal to the ridiculous provides an easy way to disguise 

 superficial knowledge and turn it to commercial advantage. 

 The life story of any given animal is sutficiently fascinating 

 without fictitious embellishment. It is a great pity that a 

 child's first impression shoidd be misleading. At the same 

 time, it must be admitted that works of reference containiiig' 

 reliable data to which artistically-inclined persons can turn for 

 exact information are seldom available except in university 

 and tecdmical libraries. Furthermore, the details of the life 

 story of most of our wild animals have never been recorded 

 anywhere. How many here to-day can. describe the develop- 

 ment of the rhinoceros or the liiDDopotarnus or the sriraffe from 

 birth to maturity? Every facility should be given for the 

 illustration and jniblication of observed facts concerning 

 animal life, more especially of such types as are in danger of 

 becoming" extinct. The eye should lie appealed to as much as 

 possible, but the aim should be to give correct impressions, 

 and thereby avoid the worse than waste due to a misapplica- 

 tion of artistic ability. The author of my favourite plate 

 certainly reflects the touch of inspiration, for not only are 

 the animals faithftdly depicted, but the pyramid and tlie ruin 

 stimulate speculation in regard to the secrets of the past, and 



