Jan. 1, 1880.] 



KNOWLEDGE 



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THE .SOITHEIIN SKIES IX JANTAriY. 



solve the problem. His mind is like a child's, which, not 

 having as yet the power of sustained thought, easily 

 wearies. If asked too many questions, he will answer 

 at random. Sir John Lubbock tells us that, " Though 

 savages always have a reason, such as it is, for what they 

 do and what they believe, their reasons are often very 

 absurd. Moreover, the difficulty of ascertaining what is 

 passing in their minds is of course, much enhanced by 

 the diiSculty of communicating with them." Further 

 on he tells u.s, th:it "Another source of error is that 



savages arc often reluctant to contradict whnt is said to 

 them.' * 



In this way we see how hard it is to obtain any definite 

 knowledge of their myths and ideas generally, or to trace 

 a clear line of thought accounting for some of the wild 

 though beautiful legends which have descended from 

 father to son for many generations. The Indian's know- 

 ledge is comparative, and within narrow limits is confined 



* •■ Origin of Civilisation," p. 7. 



