Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 20, 1909.djvu/142

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122
Reviews.

accurately the facts relating to even the smallest branch of the subject, as represented in his own district. By way of encouragement they reproduce, among other illustrations, a photograph of the shelves containing E. T. Kristensen's collection, the photograph having been taken at the request of Prof. Kaarle Krohn "to show the Finnish students and school-teachers what the energy of a single man can do."




The Bawenda of the Spelonken (Transvaal): a Contribution towards the Psychology and Folklore of African Peoples. By R. Wessmann. Translated from the German original text by Leo Weinthal, F.R.C.S. African World Ltd., 190S. 8vo, pp. 154.

The author of this book was formerly a German missionary who appears to have settled, in some other capacity not disclosed, in the Transvaal. It has been translated by the Editor of The African World, and the reader will hazard the conjecture that it is reprinted from the columns of that periodical. It is obviously not intended for scientific readers, being best described as sketchy. The information is, however, first-hand, and the author could doubtless have told us much more if he had been so minded. But naturally his reticence is greatest on the subjects we need to know the most about. The book cannot therefore be regarded as an important "contribution towards the psychology and folklore of African peoples." The author's scientific position may be orientated by the fact that he suggests a connection between the Bawenda and Balemba on the one hand and the Lost Ten Tribes on the other. Some of the photographs of natives are excellent.