HYPOTHETICAL INDUCTION.

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(62.) The Induction of Means is much increasedin value when we have the limits of variationbetween the different individual instances, thus amean of 4 may be obtained between the limits of7 and 1, 6 and 2, or 5 and 3.

(63.) There is yet one other mode of induction,which investigators frequently employ with advan-tage. Having a single fact carefully examined,they assume a law from it, and they examine otherfacts to see how far they agree or disagree withthat law. This is called a Hypothetical Induction.This form of induction is most valuable if the in-vestigator never forgets that it is a mere Hypothe­ sis ; but on the contrary, if he bends his other factsto suit the Hypothesis , then this form of inductionis in the highest degree dangerous.