The Living Races of Mankind. By H. N. Hutchinson,
J. W. Gregory, D.Sc., R. Lyddeker, F.R.S. Vol. I. (Hutchinson and Co. 7s. 6c1.)—Mr. Hutchinson is responsible for the whole of the contents of this volume, excepting the last chapter, in which Dr. Gregory gives the first instt.lment of his contribution, describing the races of Africa. The first and second chapters are given to Polynesia and Melanesia. In this section New Zealand is rightly included, the Maoris being, without doubt, as indicated by both tradition and evidence, of Polynesian origin. Chap. 3 deals with Australia and Tasmania. In 4-6 we have the Far East, both insular and continental ; in 8.9, India ; in 10-11, Central and Western Asia. The work does not profess to deal with ethnological or philological questions. Its plan is geo- graphical, and while its letterpress is adequate, its great dis- tinction is the remarkable collection of photographs with which it is illustrated. A vast amount of pains must evidently have been expended in getting this together, and the result is very striking, we might almost say shocking. Such strange creatures as Julia Pastrana and Ilrao (both of them, by the way, formerly "on view" in London) make one shudder. These, indeed, may be described as lusus naturae —and man is no more exempt from these jests than any other animal—but some of the typical examples are scarcely less repulsive—at least to our eyes—the Australian natives, for instance, and some of the Pacific islanders and aborigines of Hindoostan (a self-respecting man will not let his dogs see these pictures; their faith in his race might be shaken). On the other hand, we have the singular charm of the Japanese admirably re- produced, while the three Baluchistan chiefs figured on p. 215 are models of dignity. The Arab woman whose portrait forms the frontispiece is very attractive, and so is the " Bride of Bethle- hem "on p. 250. She might have a place in an English " Book of Beauty," while the "Arab Woman" on p. 246 has a striking look of pathetic dignity. The " Tajik Man of Tashkend" on p.219 is exactly a g sod-looking English gentleman, contrasting curiously with the neighbouring portraits, except, indeed, the " 3.ajik Woman."
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