254 HASTY OBSERVATION 



server verified this statement ? Have svrallows 

 been taken out of the mud, or been seen to 

 throw themselves into the water? 



Albertus Magnus (1193-1280), in his book 

 on animals, says that the eel leaves the water in 

 the night time, and invades the fields and gar- 

 dens to feed upon peas and lentils. A scien- 

 tific man makes this statement, and probably 

 upon no stronger proof than that some eels 

 dropped by poachers in their hasty retreat, had 

 been found in a pea patch. If peas had been 

 found, and found in many cases, in the stom- 

 achs of eels, that Avould have been pretty con- 

 clusive proof that eels eat peas. 



The great thing in observation is not to be 

 influenced by our preconceived notions, or by 

 what we want to be true, or by our fears, hopes, 

 or any personal element, and to see the thing 

 just as it is. 



A person who believes in ghosts and apjDari- 

 tions cannot be depended upon to investigate 

 an alleged phenomenon of this sort, because he 

 will not press his inquiry far enough, and will 

 take for granted the very fact we want proof of. 



The eye does not always see what is in front 

 of it. Indeed it might almost be said, it sees 

 only what is back of it, in the mind. When- 

 ever I have any particular subject in mind, 

 every walk gives me new material. If I am 

 thinking about tree-toads, I find tree-toads. If 

 I am dwelling upon birds' nests, I find plenty 

 of nests which otherwise I should have passed 

 by. If bird-songs occupy me, I am bound to, 

 hear some new or peculiar note. 



