The World of the Great Forest; How Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects Talk, Think, Work and Live

Abstract

IN the outlandish and almost unpronouncable native names of animals which form the chapter-headings and recur with wearisome iteration in the text, this volume reminds us of Longfellow's “Hiawatha,” although, in our opinion, without affording anything comparable to the pleasure which may be experienced in reading the latter. The author appears to have taken as his model that delightfulbook of Mr. Seton-Thompson's, “Wild Animals I Have Known”; but if so he has; we think, succeeded in producing only a very poor and feeble imitation. We have submitted Mr. Ou Chaillu's volume to several friends of diverse ages and sexes in the hope of obtaining an opinion as to the class of readers for whose benefit it is specially intended, but in no instance have we succeeded in obtaining a definite answer on this point. One thing is perfectly certain, namely, that no scientific naturalist will gain any information worth having from a perusal of its pages. A lady suggested hat it was like a book for very young children, without being sufficiently amusing.

The World of the Great Forest; How Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects Talk, Think, Work and Live.

By Paul du Chaillu. Pp. xv + 323. Illustrated. (London: Murray, 1901.) Price 7s. 6d. net.