Some Wayside Problems 47 



is a stronger argument against it, than those which it 

 seems to fit are for it, since there may obviously be more 

 explanations that one of the same phenomenon. At 

 least until an overwhelming majority of observed facts 

 declares unmistakably for the theory it is hardly scientific 

 to adopt it as a basis of argument and to call it even 

 "a working theory." 



Secondly, the facts which demand consideration are 

 not those only which present themselves to the initiated 

 few. It is not needful that a man should know how to 

 work with a microscope or a scalpel in order to be 

 capable of doing at least something towards the for- 

 mation of his own opinions. As I have said, all the 

 facts of nature have a bearing on the question under 

 consideration, and every wood and heath and hedgerow 

 presents facts enough and to spare for the study of any 

 one who will use instruments no more recondite than his 

 own eyes and brains. 



Any one who will do so will not improbably come 

 speedily to the conclusion that things are not, to say 

 the least of it, so plain and obvious as the books and 

 lectures of his would-be teachers might incline him to 

 suppose. No doubt with some of the facts of nature 

 the evolutionary hypothesis does seem to square well 

 enough, as a plausible or possible explanation. But 

 amidst the endless multitude of phenomena which meet 

 us at every turn, what proportion suggest such an ex- 

 planation or even seem to admit it ? Is it not possible 

 that those who are interested in the theory set too much 

 store by the instances which favour their pet doctrine, 

 and too little by all besides? Is it not at least the 

 more scientific course to go to nature oneself and ask 

 oneself such questions in her presence ? 



We certainly shall not have far to go for cases in 

 which the accepted scientific account is not too obvious. 

 Is it, for example, quite evident that Moths have in the 

 long run benefited by their inveterate habit of flying into 

 candles ? or that it has been a good thing for Linnets 

 and Salmon to be so fascinated by a light as to make 



