“In Forbidden Seas”

Abstract

“D. W. T.”, who writes a review of the sea-otter, or rather of a book called “In Forbidden Seas”, in NATURE of January 26, tells us that he is not aware that any living naturalist has ever seen this animal in its natural state. Now, Captain H. J. Snow, who is the author of “In Forbidden Seas”, is, from my point of view, a firstclass field naturalist, who by his collections and observations has added considerably to zoological and geological knowledge. I may add that he is also a keen surveyor, and his maps of the islands in these “Forbidden Seas” were so far back as 1895 published for the use of sailors by our Admiralty. By the publication of these charts, the shortest routes between Vancouver and certain ports on the Asiatic coast have been freed from uncertainties and dangers. Canadian and other vessels crossing the North Pacific, in cases of emergency have new harbours of refuge which can be approached with comparative safety. Snow's charts show new rocks and shoals, take out others, adjust islands in longitude, indicate anchorages, tide rips, watering places, seal and seal-lion rookeries, and, in short, make the unknown known. Sailing directions go with the charts.