284 STUDIES IN LIFE AND SENSE. 



mind. The dream is not rigidly separated from the sleep-vigil, any 

 more than the latter is removed from abstraction and reverie by a 

 great gulf fixed. The transition-stage between the dream simple and 

 the dream acted is witnessed in the spasmodic movements which a 

 vivid dream produces in the limbs or person of the sleeper. The 

 dreamer engages in a fierce struggle, and twitchings of his legs and 

 arms indicate the feeble response of body to the promptings of mind 

 removed from its wonted power over the frame. Even the dog, as 

 he sleeps, apparently dreams of the chase, and gives vent to his 

 sensations by the short, sharp bark, or sniffs the air, and starts in his 

 slumber as if in response to the activity with which, in his dreaming, 

 he is hurrying along after the object of pursuit. But whilst dreaming 

 may thus be shown to link itself to more unusual states of mind, it 

 also presents us with a nearer approach to those fundamental condi- 

 tions which constitute the basis of all the phenomena presented to 

 us in the physiological history of sleep. From dreams we may start, 

 as from a common centre, to well-nigh any and every abnormal state 

 which mind and brain in their more unusual phases of action may 

 exhibit ; whilst conversely these phases may be often traced in their 

 broad outlines and in their undeveloped state in the dream. 



To approach the understanding of the dream in a satisfactory 

 fashion, it is necessary to remind ourselves of the ordinary methods 

 by which sensations or impressions are received and retained by the 

 brain. Briefly detailed, and as already hinted at in a previous portion 

 of this paper, the organ of sense receives, modifies, and transmits 

 to the real seat of knowledge in the brain the conception of outer 

 things impressed upon the sensory surface eye, ear, or touch-bodies, 

 as the case may be. From the brain the sensation converted primarily 

 into the consciousness and knowledge of every-day existence may be 

 reflected over the body to muscles or other organs, and therein 

 produces effects corresponding to the nature of the original impres- 

 sion, and to the demands such a sensation makes upon the body and 

 its interests. Just as often, however, impressions may pass from the 

 outer world into the brain, and, whilst causing molecular stirrage in 

 the seat of mind, may give no external sign or symptom of their 

 mental reception. Despite the want of such outward indication of 

 the brain's response to outer stimuli, there may ensue an internal 

 act on the part of the brain itself, by way of reaction upon the 

 sensation it has received and registered. Thus we have opened 

 up before us a new region for thought. As the sensation received 

 by the brain may be reflected to the muscles and cause us to indulge 

 in a walk or in some other form of muscular activity, so the brain 

 may simply distribute its sensations within itself. We make 

 acquaintance in this fashion with the doctrine of the "reflex action 

 of the brain." Such a thought affords a clue of much value to the 



