248 THE DIRECTION OF MOTION. 



that determine the transition, is itself a representation of the 

 movements that are willed, and of their sequences. But to 

 represent in consciousness certain of our own movements, 

 is partially to arouse the sensations accompanying such 

 movements, inclusive of those of muscular tension — is par- 

 tially to excite the appropriate motor-nerves and all the 

 other nerves implicated. That is to say, the volition is itself 

 an incipient discharge along a line which previous experi- 

 ences have rendered a line of least resistance. And the 

 passing of volition into action is simply a completion of the 

 discharge. 



One corollary from this must be noted before proceed- 

 ing ; namely, that the particular set of muscular movements 

 by which any object of desire is reached, are movements im- 

 plying the smallest total of forces to be overcome. As each 

 feeling generates motion along the line of least resistance, it 

 is tolerably clear that a group of feelings, constituting a 

 more or less complex desire, will generate motion along a 

 series of lines of least resistance. That is to say, the desired 

 end will be achieved with the smallest expenditure of effort. 

 Should it be objected that through want of knowledge 

 or want of skill, a man often pursues the more laborious of 

 two courses, and so overcomes a larger total of opposing 

 forces than was necessary ; the reply is, that relatively to his 

 mental state the course he takes is that which presents the 

 fewest difficulties. Though there is another which in the 

 abstract is easier, yet his ignorance of it, or inability to 

 adopt it, is, physically considered, the existence of an insu- 

 perable obstacle to the discharge of his energies in that direc- 

 tion. Experience obtained by himself, or communicated 

 by others, has not established in him such channels of nerv- 

 ous communication as are required to make this better 

 course the course of least resistance to him. 



§ 80. As in individual animals, inclusive of man, motion 

 follows lines of least resistance, it is to be inferred that 



