5 DECEMBER 1925, Page 43

THE HISTORY OF TATTOOING, AND ITS SIGNIFI- CANCE. By W.

D. Hambly, B.Sc. (Oxon).' (Witherby.

25s. net.) . .

TIM is an exhaustive work, in one large volume, written with patience and studious accuracy in gathering and, collating facts. On every page footnotes abound, and the illustratiotbi and text-sketches are numerous and of real assistance to Um reader. A highly interesting map of the world, showing variations .and _distribution of corporal markings, appear.: in

the text. Mr. Hambly is to be congratulated upon this monu- mental work, which is of considerable interest and great value, especially to the ethnologist. The historical psychologist and the student of comparative religions may also learn much from this book, which proceeds upon the thesis that three main varieties of body-marking—painting, tattoo by puncture and scarification—are known to have been practised. To a con- sideration of the history and significance of these customs Mr. Hambly devotes his chapters.