SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not btu* reserved for review in other forms.] The Euahlayi Tribe. By R. Langloh Parker. (A. Constable and Co. 7s. 6d. net.)—It would be unprofitable to go into the details of Mrs. Langloh Parker's observations without what is for various reasons impossible,—a comparison of them with the observations made by others in analogous circumstances. The Euahlayi are a tribe of North-Western New South Wales, and Mrs. Parker has known them from childhood. The general problem presented may be given in the words of Mr. Andrew Lang (Introduction, p. xi.) "As far as what we commonly call material civilisation is concerned, the natives of the Australian continent are probably the most backward of mankind, having no agriculture, no domestic animals, and no knowledge of metal- working. Their weapons and implements are of wood, stone, and bone, and they have not even the rudest kind of pottery. But though the natives are, in their natural state, on or about this common low level, their customary laws, ceremonials, and beliefs are rich in variety." Among these beliefs the most notable is that of "the All Father Byamee." It was long a common belief that the Australian aborigines had no notion of a God, that the only preternatural conception they had was of "unattached spirits, mainly mischievous, who might be propitiated or scared away." This was a conclusion drawn by hasty observers, who had the excuse that the belief is an esoteric one ; women are not supposed to know about it, though, as a matter of fact, they do. But we are beginning to have juster views on these matters, thanks to observers such as Mrs. Parker, and students of the judicial temper and large outlook of Mr. Lang.
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