No Title
CHITRA NARAYANAN
ENCYLOPEDIA OF INDIAN NATURAL HISTORY Centenary Publication of the Bombay Natural History Society by R.E. Hawkins Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1987, 620 pp., 245
May-June 1987, volume 11, No 3

This subcontinent with its precious and magnificent heritage of natural wealth is fast being deprived of its security blanket of green vegetation. Progress unfortu¬nately still means the exploitation of nature and the Himalayas with its foot¬hills are denuded day by day. Amidst this gloomy polluted atmosphere the Centenary Publication of the Bombay Natural History Society is a splendid reminder of what India could lose if we continue to neglect our environment. In 1883 the Bombay Natural History was founded and to commemorate its awe¬some activities this one volume encyclo¬pedia has been compiled and covers not only the natural history of India but of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Paki¬stan and Sri Lanka. This attractively illustrated volume is a treasure chest to be delved into and savoured. The imaginative approach and format, deals with concepts as well as facts and spurs the reader on page after page. Take for example the entry under Domestication. It deals with animals captured wild and tamed by man and while retaining their natural physical and behavioural attributes would with gene¬rations of breeding under captivity entirely change under selective breeding, dogs,

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