146 OF MIND. 



but it by no means follows that if we understood exactly 

 the manner in which this mechanism worked, we should 

 therefore be able to form an accurate conception of the 

 nature of thought itself. Thoughts and ideas may, and in 

 some cases do, undoubtedly exist, although they cannot be 

 expressed in any way in consequence of the derangement 

 or destruction of the mechanism concerned in expression. 

 And in certain forms of cerebral disease intellectual action 

 is performed, although the mechanism concerned in expres- 

 sion is completely deranged. Ideas are formed by the 

 mind, and although the person can indicate this and con- 

 vince us by his gestures that the idea is in his mind, he is 

 quite unable to express it and make it intelligible to others. 

 The mechanism concerned in expressing thoughts consists 

 of a nervo-muscular apparatus arranged with such consum- 

 mate skill, and occupying so small a space, that it is possible 

 for the mind to form but a most imperfect conception of the 

 arrangement of even a very small part of it. 



It is difficult in many cases to decide to what extent 

 the apparatus concerned in expressing ideas is engaged in 

 silent reasoning and cogitation. When we think over 

 complex matters, and reason upon them, we work with 

 certain mental images or symbols of the things, but cer- 

 tainly not with the verbal expressions of them, nor even with 

 their representatives, but with something far short of either, 

 though sufficiently distinct and exact nevertheless. A great 

 number of these images may be marshalled, as it were, 

 before the mind almost in a moment, and conclusions 

 arrived at which would require the greatest cleverness and 

 a long time accurately to express. And in but too many 



