612.8 384 
II 
Artificial Formation of a Rudimentary Nervous 
System ? 
(d@) Inhibition —Cl. Bernard’s theory of nervous interference, 
can be corroborated by producing two excitations of an almost 
equal intensity at the ends of a big thread of mercury and by 
putting two halves of a tube of caoutchouc in the midst of the 
thread’s surface. This tube performs the part of a heart, because 
its halves alternately approach and part at the passage of the 
waves. (Fig. 8.) Rest is doubtless the issue of the wave inter- 
ference. (Action of the internal branch of the spinal.) 
(e) Formation of the dilated parts of the nervous system 
by means of wave interference. — The continual excitations 
applied to both ends of the thread of mercury, originate the forma- 
tion of a central dilatation. (Fig. 8’) It, then, seems probable that the 
ganglions, plexus and dilated parts of the embryonic system, whose 
consistence appears to be even softer than that of adults, are owing to 
the continuous shocks of the vibrating waves that cause the unequal 
distribution of nutritive materials or the movement and concentra- 
tion of the already constituted parts. Now, if the consistence of the 
neuroplasma increases, one may be sure that the construction of the 
definitive dilated parts has been finally attained. 
This is, in fact, an extremely important cause of differentiation 
and consequently of progress. In higher animals the most con- 
tinuous and intense sensations terminate in an excessive division of 
the nervous elements confined to the neuroglia. I have dis- 
covered that the consistence of the latter presents an exceptional 
importance. For instance, if you wish to obtain a great number of 
multipolar cells anastomosed almost in the same manner as those of 
the gray substance, you have but to place on some lard any viscous 
liquid (coloured albumen, saliva).2 Even the action of a terminal 
resistance on a big thread of mercury (augmentation of consistence, 
inclination, etc.) suffices to obtain the claviform or cerebriform 
shape. 
(f) On the action of moderating nerves. — These are 
1 Continued from p. 339. The figures referred to are on p. 334. 
2 Models of multipolar cells. Matwral Science, August 1898. 
