Editor.ial, Neurology and Psycholog'y. 199 



In this connection we may call attention to data derived 

 from our study of the opossum, which have an indirect bear- 

 ing on the above. In the ventro-caudal part of the cortex, 

 /. 6'., cortex beneath the rhinalis fissure, we were able to 

 demonstrate the termination of the numerous elongate cells 

 in a peripheral branch, which divides in the neurolgia layer 

 to form just such a neuro-pilem as has been described by 

 Golgi and Koelliker in the cord. Peripherad to this is a 

 tract derived in part from the olfactory. It seems probable 

 that there is over the entire sensory region at least such 

 a continuous meshwork or felting of fibres which might be 

 regarded as an a-natomical basis for assuming a single organ 

 of consciousness. A similar neuro-pilem is found as a result 

 of the subdivision of the central (basi-lateral) processes 

 of these cells, so that the cells do not pass into direct connec- 

 tion with axis cylinders in either direction. In motor cells 

 we have traced axis cylinders to the fibrous meshwork con- 

 nected with the lateral processes of the deeper pyramids, but 

 suspect that the apical processes are connected with a neuro- 

 pilem or nervous felting of a similar sort, but observation is 

 here made enormously diflScult by the mingling of sensory 

 and motor cells which are sharply distinguished. 



These questions will be discussed hereafter, as this review 

 is already longer than was intended, so that the bearing 

 of the neurological suggestions upon the question with 

 which we set out must be deferred to a later article. It may 

 be added, that if psychology really needed a material senso- 

 motorium commune, or a common arena for consciousness, 

 the suggestions which we now have of a neuro-pilem cover- 

 ing the entire cortex and containing the finely divided fibres 

 of centripetal and centrifugal nerves which are merely 

 closely associated without anastamosis, might seem to afford 

 it without the necessity of setting aside the results of locali- 

 zation already given. If, on the other hand, we are justified 

 in accepting the assurances of Wundt and Lotze that the 

 concept of extension is out of place as applied to the soul, 



