1885.] Recent Literature. 975 
per cent than if sent in special letters at other times. Second, if 
the receipt is sent with the book and the book is lost, the receipt 
is lost. If the receipt is sent in a separate, special letter, the 
author expects the book, watches for its arrival, and if it does not 
come informs the office, and usually in time so that the book may 
be immediately traced through the mails. 
On all accounts it is better to send the receipt by a special let- 
ter independent of the book itself, and in advance of the book. 
am, yours cordially, 
J. W. PowELL. 
Our readers row have both sides of the question. Our own 
experience as to the ease of returning receipts, differs from that 
of the distinguished director of the U. S. Geological Survey. But 
if the department is satisfied with the system no one else need 
complain. 
:0: 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
FORBES’ A NATURALIST’s WANDERINGS IN THE EASTERN ARCHI- 
PELAGO.'—Though inferior in general scientific interest and liter- 
ary execution to Wallace’s Malay Archipelago, Mr. Forbes has 
produced an excellent book of travels, which we have read with 
much interest. Most of the islands visited by Wallace were also 
visited by our author, but the routes of the two travelers were in 
each island different. The book, as the author modestly states, 
is a transcript of the more interesting of the field-notes made 
during his wanderings, and is to be “considered” in the light of 
an addendum to Wallace’s “ model book of travel.’ 
Besides his observations on the formation of the Cocos-keeling 
islands and numerous entomological and ornithological notes, the 
matter largely relates to the botany of these islands, as well as the 
manners and customs of the natives and mixed races with whom 
Mr. Forbes was in constant contact. No detailed account of the 
Timor-laut islands has appeared before that of Mr. Forbes, and 
little has been published on the inhabitants of the interior of 
Timor ; and, by the way, a residence in Timor, owing to the deadly 
fever of the coast and the continual warfare between the different 
villages, was not found to be particularly comfortable. Indeed, 
Considering coast fevers, insect pests, venomous animals, not to 
mention an occasional tiger, thieving natives, the liability of meet- 
ing Malays “running a muck,” the jealousy and selfishness of | 
Native officials, and tropical heats, rains, earthquakes and an oc- 
casional volcanic eruption or cyclone, a naturalist’s life in the East 
Indian archipelago has its lights and shades. 
14 Naturalists Wanderings in the Eastern Archipelago. A narrative of travel and 
exploration from 1878 to 1383, By Henry O. Forbes, F.R.G.S., etc. With numer- 
„Ous illustrations from the author’s sketches and descriptions, by Mr. Joun B. GIBBS. 
New York, Harper & Brothers, 1885. 8vo, pp. 536. 
