Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 18, 1907.djvu/142

 1 1 o Reviews.

statements on pp. 41, 52, 53, 87, 97, and 136, likely to puzzle readers. I cordially join Mr. Thomas in the wish for an Australian Grimm to study the various languages, and for some- body to give us authoritatively the true pronunciation of the words which appear in such various forms. Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas' work on Kinship Organisations must receive the careful study of all who are interested in the problems of the evolution of human society. Whatever solution of those problems we are inclined to favour, the value of his criticisms will be gene- rally acknowledged. Nothing so systematic has hitherto been attempted, and they form a substantial contribution to the discussion.

The maps, diagrams, and lists are excellent ; but is West Australia sufficiently known to be included in the maps, at least without notes of interrogation ?

E. Sidney Hartland.

Le Folk-lore de France, par Paul S^billot. Tome 11. La Mer et les Eaux Douces. Paris: E. Guilmoto, 1905. Tome III. La Faune et la Flore. Same publisher, 1906.

M. S^billot continues in these two volumes the cyclopaedia of French folklore, the first volume of which was noticed in these pages in December, 1904. The method which was there described is exactly followed out. The author's incomparable knowledge of his subject, his critical power and indefatigable industry, combine to render it a monument worthy of himself and of his subject. It may be said, without hesitation, that when completed the work will have been done once for all. But to make it available for students, it will want a very full index. This cannot be too strongly emphasized. M. Sebillot, happily, is alive to the need, and in the preface to the first volume he promised it. Meanwhile, the analytical tables of contents con-