NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 279 



— on the use of the hand to man in the basal element of his pro- 

 gress in civilization. Eeferring to the periods known as Stone, 

 Iron, and Bronze Ages, he writes : — " It is easy to understand 

 that in such a development of mechanical appliances as these 

 titles indicate the sense of touch has played an extremely im- 

 portant part." We should consider it was more the evolution of 

 human intelligence which produced the evolution in handicraft. 



There are one hundred and seventy-four illustrations and 

 diagrams. 



A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa ; being a Narrative of Nine 

 Years spent amongst the Game of the Far Interior of South 

 Africa. By F. C. Selous. Macmillan & Co., Ltd. 



This is a new and fifth edition of a book with a deserved 

 reputation and an evergreen interest. To the real sportsman of 

 big-game the volume requires no recommendation, but it is a 

 question whether mammalogists and other zoologists are always 

 aware of the valuable observations it contains — observations 

 made in the field, and recorded at the time. This is particularly 

 the case as regards the Lion. " All the Dutch hunters in the 

 interior, as well as man}' Europeans who pretend to higher 

 scientific attainments, say there are at least three distinct species 

 of Lions in South Africa, while some assert that there are four 

 or even five." These distinctions are based on the length and 

 colour of the mane, the general colour of the coat, the spots on 

 the feet, and the comparative size of the animals. But Mr. 

 Selous, with a healthy appreciation of variable characters, recog- 

 nizes but one species, and most zoologists will entirely agree 

 with him. Chapter xiii. is an excellent summary of the author's 

 experience of the South African representative. Another idea 

 that may be laid to rest refers to the South African Buffalo. All 

 representations of these animals ''charging with their heads 

 lowered are purely imaginary, as they never do so, but, on the 

 contrary, invariably hold their noses straight out, and lay their 

 horns back over their shoulders. They lower their heads just as 

 they strike." 



The work is well illustrated, and collectors who may have 

 acquired head or horn trophies from South Africa will have little 

 trouble in identifying the species to which they belong. 



