Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/717

 REVIEWS 701

tralian and the intimate side of his life his book seems to me more satisfactory than those of Spencer and Gillen.

Spencer and Gillen have confirmed in these later studies the gen- eral conclusions reached in their study of the more central tribes, and have brought further and more detailed evidence to bear on their earlier statements that among the central Australian tribes (i) the members of a totem eat sparingly of the totem, with a view to increasing the numbers of their totemic animal for the benefit of members of other totems; (2) that no connection is recognized between reproduction and sexual life, all children being regarded as reincarnations of ancestors or alcheringa; and (3) that group mar- riage exists in a modified form. The volume is enriched by no less than 315 illustrations, for the most part reproductions of photo- graphs, two plates, and a map.

While performing the same service, so far as it concerns social organization, tribal and ceremonial life, marriage, etc., for the south- eastern tribes which Spencer and Gillen have performed for the central tribes, Howitt has supplied, both from his lifelong acquaint- ance with the natives and by the aid of a large number of correspondents resident among the aborigines, some information (particularly in his chapter on "Various Customs") greatly desired by the student of society, and not to be found elsewhere. His chapter on " Tribal Government " is particularly significant, demon- strating as it does that, contrary to general teaching, the Australians have definitely recognized head-men, whether we call them chiefs or not ; and his chapter on " Messengers and Message Sticks " demon- strates that the native has a somewhat definitely developed system of communication through the medium of notched sticks a system which may be fairly compared with the Peruvian quipu, or string writing.

Mr. Howitt's book is also richly illustrated, and an appendix contains a valuable collection of Australian legends.

W. I. THOMAS.

The Russo-Japanese Conflict: Its Causes and Issues. By K. ASAKAWA. With an Introduction by FREDERICK WELLS WILLIAMS. Illustrated. New York : Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1904. $2.

No subject of a neutral power could have written a more impar- tial account of the long diplomatic engagement which preceded the