154 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



of zoological students. So long as we unsuspectingly accept 

 what is repeated in books, without being assured that the 

 statements are made on sufficient evidence, and so long as 

 we have eyes but observe not, zoological progress will neces- 

 sarily be slow, in spite of the vast number of excellent 

 observers and workers, who do accelerate our progress by 

 genuine work. When I insist on the necessity for circum- 

 spect doubt, and verified obsei'vation, the reader must not 

 understand me as implying that this necessity is not vividly 

 present to the mind of many zoologists, and of every real 

 worker ; for in truth, only by such methods can any solid 

 result be reached, and no one even superficially acquainted 

 with the present state of Zoology will be disposed to under- 

 rate the importance and extent of that band of distingidshed 

 investigators whose researches daily unfold fresh discoveries. 

 Not, therefore, as thromng any shadow of scorn on these 

 men and their methods, nor as if I were bringing a 

 neglected principle into prominence, am I tempted to insist 

 on the only method of successful pursuit in these studies ; 

 but simply to distinguish those students of Zoology who 

 wish to increase the circle of knowledge by some small 

 addition of new fact, from students who wish merely to 

 ascertain what is known. In Zoology, as in all other depart- 

 ments of intellectual activity, there are men contented with 

 " information," whose ambition never passes beyond eradi- 

 tion. They want to know what is known. Others there are 

 who, less solicitous, it may be, about what is knoAMi, are 

 intensely moved to know for themselves ; and these are the 

 workers who extend the circle of the known. 



