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ONE-SIDEDNESS. 

 By H. T. Stainton, F.R.S. 



** There are more things in heaven and earth 

 Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." 



It is a very common failing that we generalize from too 

 limited an area of observation. Nor even are we content 

 with having done so, for if some observation comes under 

 our notice, as made by some distant observer, which mili- 

 tates against our views, we are only too ready to jump to the 

 conclusion that our fellow- labourer {not ourselves) has 

 made a mistake. 



A notable instance of this kind has lately been brought 

 prominently under our notice by some observations on the 

 habits of some species of south European ants, by Mr. J. T. 

 Moggridge, who, long known as a skilful and talented 

 botanist, has now broken fresh ground and gathered laurels 

 in the field of Entomology. 



With the Entomologists of Northern Europe, it was an 

 axiom, that "ants do not store grain," and therefore they 

 concluded that ancient writers who had spoken of a different 

 practice had been mistaken. Mr. Moggridge, in his read- 

 able little book,* has pointed out to us that this assumption 

 savoured little of philosophy ; for that the writers of the 

 south were right from their point of view, and from that 



* " Harvesting Ants and Trap-door Spiders," Reeve & Co., 5, Hen- 

 rietta Street, Covent Garden. 



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