14 AUGUST 1909, Page 26

Three Years of Sport in Mozambique. By G. Vasse. Translated

by R. and H. M. Lydekker. (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. 8s. 6d. net.)— " Sport " means big-game shooting, a pursuit in which M. Vasse is an acknowledged authority. Elephants—Id. Vasse wounded two and followed them up with praiseworthy perseverance— lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, deer of many kinds, were among the prey. The total, indeed, has something almost appalling about it. It amounts to 498 mammals. Among these are about 300 deer of various kinds, 27 zebras, 23 lions, 21 leopards, 12 apes (we have a sort of feeling that these "poor relations" ought to be spared), and one hippopotamus. The birds totalled 1.559, and, there were also 6 crocodiles and between 40 and 50 snakes. Altogether, there were 2,106 creatures, which took 5,341 cart- ridges. The book is full of lively description, as, for instance, of a leopard which has been trapped—the traps are not fastened— and turns upon the hunter, leaping through the jungle with the encumbrance behind him. Nor are there wanting occasional little sketches of human life. The book reeks somewhat of blood. One must have the tough conscience of youth in the matter of killing to enjoy it.