128 



GEOGRAPHY. 



[Sect V, 





corroborating the observations 

 ^^^e means of iudaing between 

 of former travellers. 



of others, or as aifordino' 

 the conflicting testimonies 



It is also important, in order to t^ecure accuracy, that 

 the observations should be noted down on the spot 

 It is 



dangerous to trust much to th 



;t, or contmeut, or 



3 memory on such 

 subjects ; and if the observation be worth makinjj, it is 

 essential that it be correct. And here it may not be 

 inappropriate to hold out a caution against too hasty 

 eneralization. A travelh-r is not justified in concluding 

 that because the portion of a 

 island which he has visited is wooded or rocky, or other- 

 wise remarkable, the whole district may be set down as 

 similarly formed. lie must carefully confine himself to 

 the description of what he has himself seen, or what he 

 has learned on undoulrted authority. 



Again, to the geographer, the constant use of the com- 



No one attempting to give 



greatest 



& 



graj. 



s 



fhould 



ever be without an 



instrument of this kind, as portable as is consistent 

 with correctness. The bearings of distant points the 

 direction of the course of a river, however tliey may be 

 guessed at by the eye, can never be accurately laid down 

 without the compass ; and these should be immediately 



This and his compass 



transferred 



the note-book. 



should on -ll occasions be his constant and inseparable 

 companions. In using the former, he should not forget 



that slight sketches of the 



country, and of the peculiar 

 forms of hills, however hastily and roughly made, will 

 often be of more assistance in recalling to his mind the 

 features of the district he has visited than lonn and 





P' 



P 



