x Romanes on Automatism. 197 



mathematics and abstract logic. I do not assent to 

 this ; but a conclusive direct refutation of the theory 

 of Automatism has been given by Mr. Romanes, a 

 writer who is, I believe, beyond any suspicion of 

 theological or metaphysical prejudice. It is simpty 

 this : that if Consciousness were only an effect with- 

 out being a cause, and were consequently mere sur- 

 plusage, it never could have been evolved at all. 

 Whether it is true or not that "natural selection 

 among spontaneous variations " has been the chief 

 cause of vital evolution, it is impossible to doubt that 

 all vital evolution has been effected under the law of 

 natural selection ; and natural selection cannot perfect 

 a useless function, which Consciousness would be if 

 Automatism were true. 



It is to be observed that, for the purpose of this 

 argument, we are to understand Consciousness as 

 including all feelings whatever, from those of the 

 lowest animal in which sensation exists at all, up to 

 the most highly developed mental consciousness of 

 man. The fundamental and ultimate mystery is not 

 Thought, but Sensation the fact that living tissue 

 becomes sensitive. 



It is not denied by any that matter acts on Con- 

 sciousness : this is the case in all sensation and per- 

 ception. Now, it is in accordance with all the analo- 

 gies of physical science that Consciousness should be 

 able, conversely, to act on matter ; for every effect 

 in the physical world is in general capable of acting, 

 conversely, as a cause. Thus, mechanical motion, 



