1898] RUDIMENTARY NERVOUS SYSTEM 389 



an orange and to separate it rudely afterwards to load it with a 

 considerable quantity of positive electricity. 



• • • ■ • • • 



I conceive the human organism, therefore, as a machine containing 

 some five or six litres of blood employed in appropriating to itself 

 the nutritious principles of food, absorbing oxygen, and carrying it 

 to the nerve to make it vibrate by discharges of carbon dioxide. 



Yet, this machine being magnificent, it were suitable to imitate 

 it by means of some very sensitive springs (muscles) moved by the 

 vibrations of a great number of semi-liquid conductors (nerves) in 

 communication with proportionated deposits or centres. 



The inheritance of nervous affections or that of the attributes of 

 genius may, by consequence, be easily explained. Whenever the 

 progenitors have a strong, healthy, and active protoplasma, the 

 nutrition of the embryonic neuroplasma of the descendants is 

 perfect. All will, in fact, be correlatively nourished, and the germs 

 united by molecular attraction will form a strong gastrula, a superb 

 neurochord, and later still the three fundamental embryonic brains. 



Fere's observation regarding the transmission of such nervous 

 affections, epilepsy and the like, as manifest themselves so soon as 

 the general conditions of nutrition improve, can be elucidated thus, 

 and likewise the singular immunities of wise men as indicated by 

 foreign physiologists, and Chalumeau's famous law. 



A. L. Heebeba. 



Mexico, May 1, 1898. 



[Itr should be explained that Professor Herrera wrote this article 

 in a language with which he is unfamiliar, and that he has had no 

 opportunity of correcting the proofs. — Ed. Nat. Sri.] 



