23 JANUARY 1959, Page 35

Buried Gold and Anacondas. By Rolf Blom- berg. (Allen and

Unwin, 28s.) A journey to the Upper Amazon, looking for Pizarro's gold, and 'hiding snakes four times as big as a man; long- haired bird-eating spiders; and 'uncommonly savage' crocodiles. Most agreeable to read about, in a London sitting-room.