3 OCTOBER 1931, Page 34

There is doubtlesi a public which likes trivialities described in

language alternating between sentiment and facetiousness. For such, one may confidently recommend Jungles Preferred, by Dr. Janet Miller (Putnam, 12s. 6d.). The author describes her experiences as a doctor during the three years she resided among the Batetela, but though she obviously has a deep regard for her Africans, she does not seem to have penetrated below the superficial incongruities and could not therefore fathom the 'real intention of these customs which she found curious or repulsive. She might have-found it easier to do so if she had read some of the literature on the Batetela before going out. At least she would have avoided certain errors 01 fact had she done so, though these are not so numerous as they might have been, because she realized that the native guards his most intimate secrets from the superficial interest of aliens. The publishers give undue weight to the " revelations " con- tained in this volume by comparing it with Mother India.