SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading nos notice such Books of the week as have not bons reserved for rosins in other forms.]
In Malay Forests. By George MazwelL (W. Blackwood and Sons. 6s. net.)—Mr. Maxwell is a capital companion to go a-hunting with in the Malay forest. He combines with the pre- paration for and details of tracking, sketches of the servants and trackers and impressions of the forest scenery that make up a vivid and fascinating picture of the tropical haunts and home of the elephant, the bison, the tiger, and the crocodile. The stories of the natives, the light which their lifelong observation throws on the intelligence of the elephant and the cunning of other animals, come into the narrative so naturally that they do not hinder it, though often related at length, The account oe
the erocedile-catthing, and the terrific, straggle between the two men in the canoe and the wounded reptile, is an excellent and exciting chapter. The "sladang" (bison) hunt in the early morning, again, gives us a graphic description of the forest at night and the difficulties of penetrating the scrub without alarm- ing the cautious beast; while all elephant-hunters will recognise the long-drawn-out and gradually culminating interest of "The Black Elephant." The book is the product of an observant hunter and a resident of some standing, so that a reader, whether he studies the beasts of the forest or the Malay, will find plenty of material. Moreover, Mr. Maxwell writes with care and taste, and with an eye to the impressive surroundings of the country he knows, and never lets our interest flag.
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