FACULTIES OF THE MIND. 235 



posing testimony will be admitted, as we presume that 

 others have not exercised the same degree of caution. But 

 if our belief is founded on evidence which appears imper- 

 fect, and the belief of others on evidence which would have 

 been regarded by us in similar circumstances as complete, 

 we are disposed, after exercising the necessary precautions, 

 to admit their testimony, even in preference to our own ex- 

 perience. Our confidence in all bases in the testimony of 

 others, increases with their number. 



Much of the truth, with which we consider ourselves ac- 

 quainted, is derived from the experience of others. With- 

 out the assistance thus obtained, our opinions would often 

 be ill founded for want of a standard of comparison, and 

 by neglecting to exercise sufficient caution in attending to 

 the evidence of the senses. 



Among the inferior animals, there are some species which, 

 during life, are solitary and fixed to the same spot, as the 

 common oyster. These can derive no information from the 

 testimony of others. Their knowledge of external objects 

 must be limited to the results of their own sensations. But 

 in the case of all monogamous or polygamous animals, 

 whether gregarious or otherwise, a considerable dependence 

 is placejd on the testimony of others in a variety of circum- 

 stances. Thus, in the case of wild geese or crows feeding 

 in a field, the knowledge of approaching danger observed 

 by one, is speedily communicated to the whole, who imme- 

 diately act upon the information. 



Errors in testimony, among the lower animals, are fre- 

 quently committed, as the result of erroneous information 

 or experience. Thus, a cock will often give warning of 

 danger to the hens under his charge, if a pigeon flies rapid- 

 ly over his head, mistaking it for a rapacious bird. In 

 other eases, the sentinel mav be deceived by false appear- 



