LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, v 



HlGHCROFT HOUSE, MlLFORD, 



GODALMING, Aug. 26, 1884. 



DEARLY BELOVED I have been going over the ear chapter 

 this morning, and, as you will see, have suggested some addi- 

 tions. Those about the lamina spiralis are certainly necessary 

 ill us. substitution of trihedral for triangular.* I want also 

 very much to get into heads of students that in sensation it is 

 all modes of motion up to and in sensorium, and that the genera- 

 tion of feeling is the specific reaction of a particle of the sen- 

 sorium when stimulated, just as contraction, etc., is the specific 

 reaction of a muscular fibre when stimulated by its nerve. The 

 psychologists make the fools of themselves they do because they 

 have never mastered this elementary fact. But I am not sure 

 whether I have put it well, and I wish you would give your mind 

 to it. As for me I have not had much mind to give lately a 

 fortnight's spoon-meat reduced me to inanity, and I am only just 

 picking up again. However, I walked ten miles yesterday after- 

 noon, so there is not much the matter. 



I will see what I can do with the histology business. f I 

 wanted to re-write it, but I am not sure yet whether I shall be 

 able. 



Between ourselves, I have pretty well made up my mind to 

 clear out of everything next year, R.S. included. I loathe the 

 thought of wasting any more of my life in endless distractions 

 and so long as I live in London there is no escape for me. I 

 have half a mind to live abroad for six months in the year. 

 Ever yours, T. H. H. 



I enclose letter from Deutsch lunatic to go before Council 

 and be answered by Foreign Secretary. 



HlGHCROFT HOUSE, MlLFORD, 



GODALMING, Aug. 29, 1884. 



DEARLY BELOVED I enclose the proofs, having mustered up 

 volition enough to go over them at once. I think the alterations 

 will be great improvements. I see you interpret yourself about 

 the movements of the larynx. 



As to the histology, I shall have a shot at it, but if I do not 



* On Sept. 8, he writes : " I have been laughing over my ' trihe- 

 dron.' It is a regular bull." 



f "Most of our examinees" (he writes on Sept. 5) "have not a 

 notion of what histology means at present. I think it will be good 

 for other folks to get it into their heads that it is not all sections and 



carmine.' 



