POWELL] SOPHIOLOGY CLXXV 



We may now make a detinitioii of tlie yrowtli of science nnd 

 the discovery of error. Researcli, by wliicli science grows, is 

 the verification of liypotheses and the ehminution of incon- 

 g-rnous notions, and such discarded notions as have been pre- 

 viously and generally received as science are relegated to 

 mytholog-y. Let us illustrate with another example. 



Conceive a people in such a primitive stage of culture as not 

 to know of the ambient air. Such people have existed and 

 some even vet exist. In all that cultiu-e known as savagery 

 this fact is unknown. The air is unseen; but it nften has 

 corporeal motion, and is then called wind, and this wind pro- 

 duces elfects. Blow upon your hand, or invigorate the fire 

 with 3"our breath, and then contemplate the wind among the 

 trees: How like the breath is the wind! Now impute the 

 north wind to some great monster beast, and you do only that 

 which millions of people have done before. Many savage 

 l^eoj^les explain the winds in this manner, imputing them to 

 monster beasts. In this instance, and in ten thousand others 

 that can readily be supplied, the error of imputing an eftect 

 to the wrong cause as a wrong body results in the creation of 

 imaginary bodies, which is the essence of mythology. 



When air is unknown there are other things liesides breath 

 which the wind suggests. You can blow the fire with a basket 

 tray, and you can fan your l^row with an eagle's wing. So 

 the wind suggests a fanning, and may be explained in this 

 maimer. But what is it that fans? A bird with wings. If 

 the wind fans it must be accomplished by some great sky-bird. 

 The myths of such skA-l)irds are common. After this manner 

 a host of imaginary animals are created. 



To the wildwood man, who roams the prairie and haunts the 

 forest, the world is the grand domicile of beasts. Beasts are 

 men, and men are Init beasts. To liis mind the lieasts are 

 rather superior to men. The beasts have more magical ])ower, 

 and hence are often immeasurably superior to human beings. 

 The savage admires the superiority of the beast and longs for 

 his activities; he is forever contemjjlating the accomplishment 

 of beasts — the wonders wliicli they can perform — nnd is envi- 

 ous of their skill in wluiT lie sujjjjoscs to lie magic. He sees 



