THE INDIANS OF TEXAS IN 1830

ByJean Louis Berlandier. Edited and introuced by John C. Ewers '31. Translate by Patricia Reading Leclercq. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 7969 With 39 figures and 20 plates. 209 pp $10.

John C. Ewers can well lay claim to being the outstanding scholar concerned with the history of the American Indians west of the Mississippi. He has been immensely productive, with his latest book but one in a Ion; series of notable publications. Even the most casual glance at the scholarly characteristics of the book will bring recognition of Ewers' immense erudition, his great diligence, and his scholarly standards.

The account that occupies most of the book was written by Jean Louis Berlandier, a young and active Frenchman who had a good scientific background, mostly in botany. Berlandier gathered his material while a member of an official Mexican expedition, which in 1828-1829 surveyed the Sabine-Red River boundary of Texas. He was influenced by his interests and scientific background to take careful note of all he saw and then supplemented his observations by extensive reading. The most important tribe he visited was the Comanche, but much of his account concerns other more minor tribes of widely varying characteristics. In general, his account, written clearly and informatively, is sympathetic to the Indians. On the other hand, however, Berlandier made some mistakes and is highly critical of the Indians in some such phases of life as war practices and the treatment of women. Extensive footnotes by Ewers provide the necessary elaboration and correction of statements by Berlandier.

Illustrations add to the attractiveness of the book. They include maps, pictures of artifacts collected by Berlandier, and, above all, colored pictures depicting the members of the various tribes in their native costumes. Although the pictures are attractive, the reader should be warned that basically this is not a picture book designed to fill a casual half hour, but a scholarly work produced for and published by the Smithsonian Institution. If this is what the reader wants, he will find the book excellent.

Mr. Riegel is Professor of History Emeritus,Dartmouth College.