REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 215 



and cryptogams. Lastly it does what nobody has done before over the 

 same ground and to the same extent, it provides an introduction ko the 

 geology of the whole region, and goes into details regarding va\rious 

 sections of it. The book is, therefore, at once a most interesting 

 record of sport, and a very valuable contribution to science, and the 

 two are so interwoven in the earlier sections of the volume as to appeal 

 specially to that ever increasing class, the sporting naturalists. 



But there is adventure as well as sport and science in these pages, 

 and the episode at Ku-shan-pu, where the author and his companion 

 were compelled to extricate themselves from real danger by a vigorous 

 use of their natural weapons will give an idea of the possibilities 

 awaiting wanderers in these out-of-the-way places. Travel over 

 trackless hills and mountains is full of risks and hardships. Mr. 

 Sowerby had his full share. 



We refrain from reproducing any of the exciting episodes with 

 which the narrative teems, but one specimen of Mr. Sowerby' s powers 

 oi description will be welcomed. In the chapter, "After Argali and 

 Vapiti," p. 123, we read as follows : — 



"We were now in the very heart of a region of high, rugged and 

 precipitous mountains, the deep gorges and ravines of which were filled 

 vith small timber. This extended up the steep slopes in many places, 

 vhile away down in the shadowy ravine bottoms sparkling brooks, now 

 oily partially ice-bound, gurgled and plashed over the rounded pebbles 

 aid polished boulders. Here and there deep pools temptingly invited 

 a plunge, but the little fringe of ice acted as a gentle reminder of the 

 sill frigid temperature. In these pools shoals of small fish might be 

 sen darting in and out of the dark caves beneath the overhanging 

 neks. On the mountain sides the tender green of the sprouting 

 ppulars and hazels contrasted strangely with the deep colour of a few 

 sattered pines, while the mountain peach and wild apricot blossomed 

 pik and white, lending a soft beauty to the landscape. Above all the 

 jajged needle-like peaks of granite towered away into the azure blue 

 oithe cloudless sky, like the enchanted castles of our childhood's fairy 

 taes." 



But one thing more needs telling. We had read Mr. Sowerby's 

 bok through from cover to cover, and then wishing to refresh our 

 mmory on one or two points, turned to consult an index which . . . 

 wsn't there ! Gr. L. 



BUetin of the School of Oriental Studies. London Institution, 

 1918. 

 The School of Oriental Studies is to be heartily congratulated on 

 tb its second (?) Bulletin. Like the School itself the Bulletin is 



