From the abundant records and traditions dealing with the curious belief that certain men and women can transform themselves into animals, Mr. Hamel collected a number of instances and examples which throw fresh light on the subject both from the point of view of folk lore and occultism. The causes of transformation are various: contact with a wer-animal, touching what he has touched, wearing an animal skin, rubbing the body with ointment, slipping on a girdle, buckling on a strap, and many other expedients, magical and otherwise, may bring about the metamorphosis. This book is intended to provide a comprehensive view of the subject and to familiarize the reader with the nature of the phenomena.