Numerous mistakes in life, in literature and in science are due to
imperfect or erroneous observation. The following story from the
_Penn Monthly_, which is quite apropos, is related of Agassiz, and
it is sufficiently characteristic of this remarkably accurate observer
to have the merit of probability:
Once upon a time the professor had occasion to select an
assistant from one of his classes. There were a number of
candidates for the post of honor, and finding himself in a
quandary as to which one he should choose, the happy thought
occurred to him of subjecting three of the more promising
students in turn to the simple test of describing the view
from his laboratory window, which overlooked the side yard of
the college. One said that he saw merely a board fence and a
brick pavement; another added a stream of soapy water; a third
detected the color of the paint on the fence, noted a green mold
or fungus on the bricks, and evidences of “bluing” in the water,
besides other details. It is needless to tell to which candidate
was awarded the coveted position.
(2225)
=Observation Profitable=--See INSECT, A MODEL.