of the Anatomy and Phymlogy of the Brain. 47 



It seems indeed surprising to me that the brain was not re- 

 jl^arded in this light, even before observation had pointed out the 

 particular seats of tlie organs. 



Of the Philosophical Tendency of the Physiology of the Organs. 



It may be of use to advert to the metaphysical results of the 

 recent investigations into the physiology of the organs of animal 

 life, with a view to lead to that comprehensive system of the 

 philosophy of the mind, which is the legitimate deduction from 

 premises which an examination of these functions has established. 

 It tends to show, 



I. The nature and limits of the influence of external impres- 

 sions in the production of our ideas; which result, Istj from the 

 reaction of the organs in consequence of external impressions, 

 adapted by nature to them, constituting perception : — or, 2dly, 

 from the inherent or internal activity of the organs, acting by 

 themselves without external impressions, or from some internal 

 stimulus, constituting variously, as modified by mutual influences, 

 and by the nature of the internal action of the original concep- 

 tions of particular genhis ; which are as it were revelations of 

 sciences and arts from the great size and activity of particular 

 organs. This consideration also explains visions and dreams, 

 which are the consequence of the internal activity. Indeed a 

 very curious history of the varieties of dreams and other internal 

 affectioais, might be made from considering what organs are ac- 

 tive in different cases, and by noticing the effect produced to- 

 wards waking, when the organs of the reflecting powers begin to 

 act. 



II. We see from the physiology of the organs the nature of true 

 and false pereejjtions. True ideas or perceptions result from 

 the conformity- of the action of the organs to the nature of the 

 impressions from without, to which they are adapted. Memo- 

 ry, — a repetition of actions originally excited by external things. 

 Imagination, — new combinations produced by the influence of a 

 distinct and separate faculty on other organs. Genius, or original 

 composition, — the great internal activity of an organ ; this is 

 influenced more or less by the organ of ideality, &c. And, 

 lastly, we see that false ideas or impressions must be referred to 

 irregular or disordered action of the organs ; which disordered 

 health and misguided education may excite on an organization 

 erroneous in the proportionate development of the different 

 organs. This leads to the consideration of the different mental 

 derangements hereafter to be spoken of. 



III. Tiic physiology of the organs shows where certain meta- 

 physical philosojjhcrs were right and where wrong in certain opi- 

 nions j explains the relation between the Berkleian philofiophy, 



which 



