THE SENSORIAL NERVES. 59 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE SENSORIAL NERVES CONSIDERED AS INSTRU- 

 MENTAL TESTS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE. 







TIpLEMENTARY molecules are classed as sim- 

 ilar, because they transmit similar reactions 

 and modifications of the axial and orbital forces, 

 through the electric ether pervading the nerves 

 leading to the brain. The planetary force being 

 the immediate source of this mechanical action, 

 all we know of molecules is their power of mod- 

 ifying the action of this force. 



The electro-mechanical reaction from molecules 

 being transmitted through five peculiar arrange- 

 ments of conducting fibres, denoted " Sensorial 

 Nerves," the study of the special functions of 

 these nerves, as instrumental tests of physical 

 science, is of primary importance to a right in- 

 terpretation of the action they transmit to the 

 brain. 



The electric signals transmitted through the 

 sensorial nerves are as unintelligible to a new- 

 born infant, as are the intermittent clickings, or 

 the dots and dashes, to a new apprentice in a tel- 

 egraph office. To ascertain what the flame of a 

 candle is, an infant attempts to grasp it ; and thus 

 practically learns the intensity of its vibrations by 



