Along the Old North Trail is not a systematic treatise, and the student will not find a well-ordered statement of the customs and beliefs of the Blackfeet, but will have to cull for himself from all over the book the folk-tales, magical practices, religious ceremonies, or whatever it may be that particularly interests him. The book is enriched with a very large number of excellent photographic figures and plates, which not only beautify the volume but really illustrate the letterpress and enhance its ethnological value.
Short Notice.
Members who were fascinated by the strange and complicated feats with strings performed by Dr. Rivers and Mr. Ray, in the fashion of the Torres Straits islanders, before the Society ten years ago, and all who want a comprehensive and compact work of reference on string figures less expensive and more up-to-date than the fine volume issued by Mrs. Jayne in 1906, should hasten to obtain this admirably described and clearly illustrated account. Miss Haddon seems to have laid under contribution every available source of information, whether in printed books or in the notebooks and memories of travellers, and her book is one to be put into the hands alike of dwellers amongst uncivilised natives and of those living amongst peasants. If the recipients are not yet folklorists, they should be lured by it into the collection of some of the many cat's cradles not yet recorded, and so take their first step along the primrose path of folklore study.
Books for Review should be addressed to
The Editor of Folk-Lore,
c/o David Nutt,
57-59 Long Acre, London, W.C.
