260 The American Naturalist. [March, 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
Sir Samuel Baker on Wild Beasts and Their Ways.'—This 
book will be found very interesting to the general reader, and also 
instructive to the naturalist. The author restricts his descriptions to 
what he has actually observed himself, and they therefore have an 
especial value. As he has hunted in all the continents excepting South 
America and Australia, his observations cover much ground; in fact, 
probably no sportsman has lived who can record such a varied experi- 
ence of wild animals. His observations have also the value which is 
to be derived from long familiarity with most of the species which he 
describes. This record is the more useful as many of the species 
which he has hunted have been already much restricted in numbers 
and distribution since the author began his career, and some of them 
are probably doomed to extinction. His accounts of the mental 
peculiarities and habits of the animals which have come under his 
observation in a state of nature are very valuable, as such opportunities 
are rarely enjoyed by persons competent to record them accurately. 
His book affords, therefore, a mine of information to the student of 
animal psychology. Sir Samuel Baker is a true sportsman ; that is, he 
observes such methods as will preserve from extinction the species 
which he pursues, bearing in mind what is remembered too little by the 
average man with a gun, that if he desires sport in the future he must 
not destroy females and young, and must protect game sufficiently to 
ensure its continuance. 
is observations cover the larger Mammalia, and include one rep- 
tile, the Crocodilus vulgaris of Africa. His descriptions of the haunts 
of these animals will be attractive to all lovers of scenery. They are 
so exact in detail as to enable the reader to realize it much better than 
if clothed in more eloquent and enthusiastic language. Incidentally 
the peculiarities of the people with whom his travels brought him in 
contact are referred to. Such are the shikaris of India, the hunters 
of the Hamram Arabs of Abyssinia, and the skin-hunters of the wilds 
of Western North America. 
His description of the habits and manners of the Indian honey-beat 
(Melursus labiatus) are curious. He goes into greatest detail in the 
history of his experience with the Indian elephant, with whose charac- 
1 Wild Beasts and Their Ways: Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. 
By Sir Samuel W. Baker, F.R.S., ete. London, MacMillan & Co., 8vo., PP. 455- 
Illustrated, . 
