The North West Amazous: Notes of some months spent amongst cannibal tribes. By Thomas Whiffen, F.R.G.S., F.R.A.I., Capt., H.P. 14th. Hussars. (Constable & Co., Ltd., London, 1915. Price 12 s. 6 d.)

The author of this interesting book writes as follows in his preface: 'Some months of the years 1908 and 1909 were passed by me travelling in regions between the Rivers Issa and Apaporis where white men had scarcely penetrated previously. In the remotest parts of these districts the Tribes of Nomad Indians are frankly cannibal on occasion, and provide us with evidence of a condition of savagery that can hardly be found elsewhere in the world of the twentieth century.'

We may quote a few passages to show how rich the work is in material of interest to psychologists. The following is an attempt by the author to suggest in the metre of 'Hiawatha' the song-words of a dance performed for his benefit by some Witoto. But before giving it we must reproduce a note by Captain Whiffen on page 154:

Every Indian has two names, his own name and his secret name (name of genitalia). The latter is generally a significant name and is used in ribald jesting round the fire e. g., "The Okaina (a rodent) went to the stream to bathe" etc., etc., ad nauseam.

The words of the song will now be intelligible:

To our tribe there comes a stranger,

Comes a welcomed, honoured stranger,

And whence comes to us this stranger?

From what far and foreign country?

Wherefore comes this friend among us?

What the quest that brings him hither?