138 OF THE FUNTIONS OF 



uses, which are produced by the union and reticulated 

 anastomoses of different nerves and by a similar con- 

 texture of filaments into which the nerves are split. 



214. The ganglia and plexuses are most abundantly 

 bestowed upon the spinal nerves and the intercostal 

 or sympathetic nerve. The latter, united by a few deli- 

 cate filaments only with the rest of the nervous system, 

 constitutes a peculiar system, chiefly belonging to the 

 involuntary functions. For this reason, Bichat, view- 

 ing it as presiding over organic life, distinguished it 

 from the other nerves belonging to animal life, to use 

 his own language. * 



215. The terminations of the nerves are no less con- 

 cealed from us than their origins. Excepting a few 

 which spread out in the form of membranes, as the 

 optic nerve which becomes the retina, and the portio 

 niollis of the seventh pair which forms a zone in the 

 spiral lamina of the cochlea, the ultimate filaments of 

 the rest penetrating into the viscera, muscles, corium, 

 &c. are so intimately blended with the substance of 

 these parts as to elude observation. 



216. The parts just described, viz. the sensorium and 

 the nerves originating in it and distributed throughout 

 the body, constitute that system which, during life, is 

 the bond of union between the body and the mind. 



217. That the mind is closely connected with the 

 brain, as the material condition of mental phenomena, 

 is demonstrated, to omit such arguments as the imme- 

 diate connection between the brain and the organs of 

 sense, by our consciousness and by the mental disturb- 

 ances which ensue upon affections of the brain. (F) 



* See Rcil, Archie fur die Physiologic. T. vii. p. 189. 



