78 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
having the interests of science alone at heart, would care or 
consent to bestow. We trust that the authors will receive that 
hearty support which they have a right to expect from those for 
whose benefit they are so laboriously and so generously working. 
The Ascent of the Matterhorn. By Epwarp Wuymrer. With 
Maps and Illustrations. London: Murray. 1880. 
If a description of Nature in one of her wildest and grandest 
moods comes fairly within the term Natural History, then is Mr. 
Whymper’s new book entitled to a notice in these pages. On 
looking through the volume, however, it is apparent that the 
author's object was not to investigate the fauna of the Alps, and 
indeed had it been so he would have been but poorly repaid for 
his toil, seeing how little animal life is to be found in the snow- 
clad regions explored by him, and how much is already known 
concerning the few fere nature which exist there. His mind 
was engrossed with problems of a very different—and, to him, 
weightier—kind than those which, under similar circumstances, 
would have occupied the attention of a naturalist. It must not 
be supposed, however, that Mr. Whymper was indifferent to the 
charms of Zoology, for he did not fail to notice and to observe 
the actions and habits of such animals as chance brought in his 
way; and we know from his published accounts of travel in other 
lands, that his powers of observation and description are of no 
mean order. 
When traversing some of the wildest portions of the Alps, he 
could hardly fail to notice the Chamois, which in certain localities 
are still tolerably numerous, though seldom permitting a very 
near approach. On one occasion, however, he obtained an 
excellent view of a large herd, which he thus describes :— 
“ Whilst we were resting at this point (the Col which commands a 
glorious view of the southern side of Monte Rosa, and of the ranges to its 
east), a large party of vagrant Chamois arrived on the summit of the 
mountain from the northern side, some of whom—by their statuesque 
position—seemed to appreciate the grand panorama by which they were 
surrounded, while others amused themselves, like two-legged tourists, in 
rolling stones over the cliffs. The clatter of these falling fragments made 
us look up. The Chamois were so numerous that we could not count 
them, and clustered round the summit, totally unaware of our presence. 
