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toward reducing a scientific contribution of the first order to tht of a mere collection (albeit an important one) of scientific data, defects are not of such character as to stand in the way of apprec of the rich body of material brought together, or of the rational ■ fi cation evidently resting in the mind of the author ; yet they mus readers to hope for a more systematic presentation, at an earl) from one who has done so much to raise the study of games plane of science. W J McGi

Explorations in the Far Nortk. By Frank Russell. Set*. report of an expedition under the auspices of the University of during the years 1892, '93, and 'p{. [Iowa City :J Published 1 University, 1898. 8°, ix, 290 pp., ills., map. This modest publication is the record of a remarkable explo of Arctic America. Dr Russell (now of Harvard) set out in the est of the State University of Iowa to make natural- history colle in the neighborhood of Great Slave lake, and thence northward shores of the Arctic ; in carrying out his plan, he was brought it tact with the various Athapascan tribes, lived in their lodges, and wise suffered opportunities for making their intimate acquain One of his hardest trips led him northeastward from Fort Rae ; Coppermine river and nearly to Bathurst inlet, where he shot a m of musk-oxen and brought out their heads and skins by dint of ii ible labor ; then he undertook the unprecedented task of car down Mackenzie river throughout its entire length and along the of the Arctic ocean from its mouth to Herschel island, in or< make connection with a fleet of whalers of which a rumor had co him — and this essay, like the others of his unique expedition, wa cessfully accomplished. Half of his book is devoted to the itini the other half comprises four chapters on ethnology, with an cxt< supplement on the natural history of the region traversed. The on the Athapascan tribes are of value, though most of the ling notes are withheld for future publication. A considerable collect ethnologic material (now preserved in the State University of was made, and is illustrated in the work, this material repres< both Athapascan and Eskimo handicraft; and a chapter is devo the myths of the Cree Indians of the Woods. The author dcplon meagerness of his ethnographic notes and material ; yet he ha: ceeded, in itinerary as well as in the special chapters, in prest a remarkably clear and instructive picture of tribesmen engaged i ter struggle against the most inhospitable environment of the American continent. W J McG

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