The Annual of the British School in Athens. (Macmillan and
Co. 21s. net.)—The Cretan explorations still occupy a consider- able space in the year's proceedings. Mr. Evans, indeed, gives only a brief account of the work at Cnossus ; but this matters but little, as we are to expect a book on the subject in the near future. He tells us, however, about a curious "Shrine of the Fetish Idols." These " Idols " are curious natural formations which bear a rude resemblance to a woman, a baby, an ape, &c. But the subject is also represented by Mr. D. Mackenzie's paper, "Cretan Palaces and Aegean Civilization," which is largely con- troversial as against certain theories of Dr. Darpfeld ; by an account of "Terracotta Plaques from Praesos" (in East Crete) ; and by a narrative (Part IV.) of the" Excavations at Palaikastro." These last have revealed much about the Stone Age that im- mediately preceded the Bronze Minoan period. Among the illustrations is one of a very highly interesting character, which shows us a polychrome vase of the first middle Minoan period. Among the other articles is one on "The Distribution of Attic Vases," showing that the Athenians did a brisk trade in this article; and "A Visit to Skyros," picturing a life in modern Greece curiously unlike what the spade of the explorers reveals.
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