Travels of a Naturalist in Japan and Manchuria

Abstract

THOSE who wish to see what a world of pleasure may be opened up to one by an adequate knowledge of some department of Natural Science, ought to read this book. Mr. Adams is an enthusiastic naturalist, with a special “weakness,” as he terms it, for insects, and the delight he has experienced in the hunt for specimens, and the close observation of his favourites in different parts of the world, have been simply endless. We should hope that some of his readers will find his eagerness “catching,” and be led to feel new interest in objects which they have hitherto regarded with indifference, or perhaps treated as a nuisance. Among other animals observed by Mr. Adams with more or less care, was one of two specimens of the scaly ant-eater (Manis Javanica)—a female—which came under his notice. During the day she remained coiled up in a ball, but grew lively as night approached. In walking “she trod gingerly on the bent under-claws of her forefeet, and more firmly on the palms of her hind-feet.” One of her favourite attitudes was that of her gigantic extinct analogue, the Mylodon, as seen in the model of Water-house Hawkins in the gardens of the Crystal Palace. Supported on her hind limbsand “the firm, flattened, powerful, muscular tail,” she would raise her fore-feet, moving her head and body from side to side, and peering cautiously about with her “little round prominent eyes.” On the least alarm she tucked in her head between her fore legs. On one occasion she was coiled up in a strong net and supposed to be properly secured; when night approached, however, she easily burst her trammels, and was discovered by the violent barking of a little dog who was puzzled and alarmed by the apparition of so strange a visitor. Both specimens were fed on raw eggs and chopped raw beef, and seemed to thrive. Besides observations of this sort, Mr. Adams's readers will find scattered throughout his work some pleasant sketches of natural scenery, a few descriptions of amusing personal adventures, and occasional glimpses into the different customs of the countries he has visited.

Travels of a Naturalist in Japan and Manchuria.

By Arthur Adams, Staff-Surgeon R.N. (London: Hurst and Blackett, 1870.)