unfortunately labelled 15 and 17 respectively (presumably
some measure of fluorine content, but this is not stated —
the values are too big to be percentages). These are but
examples of what could so easily have been avoided.
The illustrations cover a remarkably vide field and are
well reproduced in good colour. They are usefully informative
for those readers who know what to look for and can disentangle
such captions as those on p.79 and p.126. A few more commas
and full-points would help understanding both of captions
and text, but perhaps this is an old-fashioned criticism of
the proof-reader.
Francis Celoria's style is refreshingly lively, with
the ellipsis expected of today's New Yorker' rather than the
heavy explanations of nineteenth century 'Punch': the
reader must be prepared to do some thinking for himself.
Angus McBride's illustration of how NOT to dig (p.121)
is delightful and, in fact, full of valuable advice for the
over-enthusiastic amateur excavator.
There are many wise passages in this book, distilled from
the experience of a skilled professional archaeologist.
If I seem unduly and adversely critical, it is only
because I could have wished it were made even easier to
absorb so much of value.
Like many paper-backs, the book tends to "come apart
at the seams" after a little use, but Hamlyn has done well
to produce such an attractive and lavishly-illustrated
survey at 40p.
Laurence Harley
************
Please note that the Secretary can be contacted at his
usual home address and also: Mr.Ron Allen, c/o Soil Survey
of England and Wales, Essex Institute of Agriculture, Writtle,
Essex,
************
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