Note by Professor R. R. Marett.
‘Although Sir Edward Tylor’s summary account of the task of the field anthropologist was written many years ago, and is now reproduced in a substantially unaltered form, one can confidently recommend it as still adequate to the needs of a rapidly progressing science. The general plan of campaign, so brilliantly sketched here, remains much the same. On the other hand, the traveller in these latter days, instead of opening up fresh fields, must for the most part be content to work over old ground more carefully than his predecessors. Unless, therefore, he is prepared to discard superficial modes of observation and devote himself to a critical and intensive study of the available facts, he had much better leave the subject alone. It will help greatly if he has been through a course of special training, such as several of the leading Universities can nowadays provide.’—R. R. Marett.
The following books will be found useful to the traveller, besides those mentioned above:—
‘Handbook of Folk-lore’; published by the Folk-lore Society. Ed. C. S. Burne.
‘Anthropology’: Prof. R. R. Marett. Home University Library. Williams & Norgate.