522 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



the young naturalist, as to the novelty or importance 

 of his labours, a feeling for which, at present at least, 

 there is, unfortunately, but very little real foundation. 

 Science is not as yet by any means so rich in infor- 

 mation, even as relates to the commonest productions 

 of the ocean, as to render additions to our stock, 

 however trifling, either misplaced or unwelcome ; and 

 we venture to say, that there are few subjects upon 

 which the results of accurate observation would be 

 unacceptable. Every established fact faithfully re- 

 corded is as a new light set upon a candlestick, and 

 in the exact ratio of the number of such contributions 

 will be the clearness with which science will be able 

 to see its way through the obscurity which still sur- 

 rounds many interesting phenomena. 



But here we would remind the student, that there 

 is a wide distinction to be drawn between facts and 

 theories ; nay, we may be permitted to say, between 

 pure unsophisticated truth, and truth seen through 

 the medium of a theoretical bias, which not unfre- 

 quently tints it with a false colour, or even distorts it 

 altogether much in the same way as a pretty face 

 becomes hideous when seen through an irregularly 

 refracting piece of glass. Alas, from this cause, how 

 many an elaborate superstructure, based on some 

 visionary foundation, have we seen spring into ephe- 

 meral existence only to be forgotten ! 



" How many a system, raised 

 Like Neva's icy domes, awhile hath. Hazed 

 With lights of fancy and with forms of pride, 

 Then, melting, mingled with the oblivious tide !" 



We advise our young friends to have nothing to do 



