Literary Notices. cix 



logenetic series, the nervous system first appears as a pigment fleck. 

 Excitations of this spot stimulates changes in the protoplasm. These 

 changes in the course of time result in nerve cells, nerve fibres, muscles 

 and glands. 



Every psychological activity', as well as every physiological activity, 

 of the nervous system is determined both by heredity and exercise. 

 Here, as in the physical world, exercise promotes more perfect function- 

 ing of all parts. Either over or under exercise brings in its wake un- 

 pleasant feelings. 



Origin of Sense Feelings. Every feeling of the special senses is com- 

 posed of three factors : 1st, the external stimulus ; 2d, the physiological 

 nerve course ; 3d, the psychical act. Hence, each feeling has a definite 

 quality and intensity which is dependent upon the relative intensities of 

 these three factors. 



The appearance and tone of a feeling are dependent upon the condi- 

 tion of the nervous, system. Fresh and exercised nerves are with difficul- 

 ty moved to feelings. If feelings do arise, they are feelings of pleasure. 

 It is easier to move a fresh but unexercised nerve to feelings. And much 

 more easy to move a tired and unexercised nerve to feeling. In the last 

 two cases unpleasant feelings are the rule. 



In this connection, we must consider the attitude of the conscious 

 states at the birth of a feeling. Here three things must be considered : 

 1st, a certain level of feeling already in consciousness ; 2d, attention, in- 

 attention ; 3d, friendliness for or opposition to the feeling. 



Every bodily feeling, whatever the nature, predisposes the attitude 

 of the body to future feelings. In general, feelings predispose us to sim- 

 ilar feelings. In a pleasant condition, strong excitations cause pleasure ; 

 but in an unpleasant mood, the same excitation would cause pain. 



It is astonishing what an important role interest plays. A man ab- 

 sorbed in his books is not disturbed by a cannon shot. In the heat of 

 battle, the wounded often feel no pain. 



The quality and quantity of the sensation also plays an important 

 part in this drama. The continuance of an excitation which at first 

 caused pleasure may turn that pleasure into pain. 



According to Wundt, these feelings merge into each other through 

 a neutral point — a point void of both pleasure and pain. 



Horwicz cannot accept this view. According to him, between the 

 feelings of pleasure and pain there is an intermediate mixed feeling. By 



