2O Mr. Grant Aliens Botanical Fables 



that we have sounded the bottom of all knowledge, 

 that we cannot be content to acknowledge our ignorance, 

 even when our ignorance is the truth. Hence, instead 

 of patiently and dispassionately garnering the facts and 

 sifting them, to see what they will yield, writers too 

 frequently start with an assurance that they know 

 the issue before they examine the record, and 

 with an indignation against those who deny their 

 theory which would be righteous if that theory were 

 already demonstrated, but which is thoroughly un- 

 scientific if Darwinism is still beset by a multitude 

 of scientific difficulties. Is it not far more wise to say 

 that we do not yet know, as in fact we do not, than 

 to amuse ourselves with imaginary histories, and giving 

 them to the world as contributions to its knowledge ? 



