Law of Proenvironment 237 



cell protoplasm or biotic substance, and the nuclear chromatin 

 or cognitic substance, (1) a definite material, the neuratin or 

 cogitic substance, that is steadily used up during intense mental 

 effort, and is then regenerated slowly during nutritive anabol- 

 ism; (2) a canal system that permits steady absorption into 

 it of secondary or waste material from the neuratin substance 

 during active effort, as well as transfer later of rich constituents 

 that can rejuvenate the neuratin centers; and (3) a system of 

 threads that can efficiently conduct tubes or currents of cogitic 

 energy generated during metabolism of the neuratin granules. 



The objection may here be made that the Nissl or neuratin 

 granules have by Smallwood-Rodgers as well as others been 

 viewed merely as '*some sort of a fat." The investigators 

 just named say (84^, 18: 72) that "most of the tests used require 

 a long time for their action, and in some cases even failed to 

 act at all." . . . '*Osmic acid blackens the bodies after a 

 long time. In many of the specimens the blackening was 

 merely superficial, indicating that the substance is highly 

 resistant or that it is not a fat but some substance which may 

 break up into a fat and some other substance." The slow 

 and varying reaction given in different animals strongly favors 

 the view that it is an extremely complex proteid, that has 

 been built up through the action of highly complicated currents 

 of energy and which breaks down very slowly during discharge 

 of cogitic flows of energy. The fatty constituent here, as 

 in all highly energized cells, we would regard as an energy 

 insulator, and — according to its position — as a path-distributor 

 for the outgoing currents of cogitic energy. 



We would hazard the thought, therefore, that the most 

 important cytological study for the future, in the realm of 

 evolving animal life, ^ill be that pertaining to the individual 

 nerve cell, and its connection with others in evolving nerve 

 ganglia. 



The studies already published show us that the number, 

 position, relation, size, and behavior to chemical agents of the 

 neuratin granules vary greatly m different cells, or in different 

 ganglia, or even in different animal groups. Such may well 



