The Edge of the Jungle | Nature

MR. BEEBE has a graphic pen. His account of the life of bird, beast, and insect as seen from a small clearing on the edge of the British Guiana forest gives a vivid and kaleidoscopic

impression of teeming life. His capacity for close and careful observation and his artistic power of selecting just the right details, combine to convey to the reader a feast of tropical

colour, sound, and scent. It is impossible not to follow his account of, say, the happenings in the “army ants' home town” with an interest as tense as though he described the fortunes of

human individuals. The transformation of “Guinevere” from a tadpole into a tree-frog holds the reader entranced. Mr. Beebe does not confine his attention entirely to his clearing; while on a

visit to the gardens at Georgetown he was fortunate enough to see a group of manatees of which he records his impressions for the benefit of his readers. Incidentally he raises an

interesting question as to the origin of flower growing for non-utilitarian purposes, which may suggest to the anthropologist a new field in which to view the influence of magic.

By William Beebe. Pp. 237. (London: H. F. and G. Witherby, 1922.) 12s. 6d. net.

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: