io6 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Err 



its existence even when, to all appearances, it has been annihi- 

 lated. Its vitality resembles that of the earthworm which we 

 often see an object of contention between two birds, neither of 

 which is willing to part with it. In the contest the worm is 

 frequently divided into three parts, each of the birds flying 

 away with a portion, and leaving the centre part of the animal 

 behind, which, if the situation where it is left be favourable, 

 begins in a few days to repair its loss, and in a short time restores 

 its deficient parts and resumes activity. In like manner an error 

 often revives after triumphant controversialists have departed in 

 complacency, rejoicing in their spoils. p. 



The Annihilation of Error. 



The Fiume Salso in Sicily enters the sea so charged with 

 various salts that the thirsty cattle refuse to drink of it. A 

 stream of sulphureous w r ater, as white as milk, descends into 

 the sea from the volcanic mountain of Idienne, on the east of 

 Java ; and a great body of hot water, charged with sulphuric 

 acid, rushed down from the same volcano on one occasion, and 

 inundated a large tract of country, destroying, by its noxious 

 properties, all the vegetation. In like manner the Pusanibio, 

 or "Yinegar River" of Columbia, which rises at the foot of 

 Purace", an extinct volcano. 7500 feet above the level of the sea, 

 is strongly impregnated with sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, 

 and with oxide of iron. We may easily suppose the waters of 

 such streams to have properties noxious even to marine animals. 

 It is a marvellous fact, however, that when these and other 

 bad waters commingle thoroughly with the great ocean they 

 lose all their power to injure. They are absorbed in its infinite 

 purity, and their badness is extinguished. Sir Isaac Newton 

 likened truth to the sea. Accepting his metaphor, we may 

 with more patient eyes watch all the vicious and erroneous 

 currents of pestilent public opinion running their course, and 

 feel sure that their power to injure mankind is circumscribed, 

 because they will eventually be neutralised by and absorbed in 

 the sublime ocean of truth. B, 



