BIOLOGICAL SUGGESTIONS.
MIMICRY.
By W. L. Distant.
(Continued from p. 363.)
In the following discussion on "Demonstrated," "Suggested or Probable," and other categories of views and suggestions relating to this more than interesting question, recourse has been somewhat plentifully made to original quotations, giving full references to the authors and publication of the same. This course may be probably commended for several reasons. In the present day much biology is written on the historical method,[1] in which conclusions and facts are worked together in one harmonious whole, and treated as canonical information, to which reference to the original sources of information is unnecessary. But in Biology, surely we should bear in mind—(1) Justice to the original author—A. Reference to the work in which the quotation appears, and which may be unknown or neglected by the reader, who may thus—(a) find other facts besides those quoted; (b) find that such quotations should be qualified by other information in the same work; (c) be led to consult the same authorities with reference to other investigations he may have in hand. Besides which, the evidence for or against this theory must be cumulative, and we must not be misled by successful advocacy either one way or the other.
- ↑ This method is not to be despised, as Lord Acton has well observed:—"Method is only the reduplication of common sense, and is best acquired by observing its use by the ablest men in every variety of intellectual employment. Bentham acknowledged that he learnt less from his own profession than from writers like Linnæus and Cullen; and Brougham advised the student of Law to begin with Dante. Liebig described his 'Organic Chemistry' as an application of ideas found in Mill's 'Logic,'" &c. ('A Lecture on the Study of History,' p. 53.)
