148 OF MIND. 



OF THE LIVING MATTER CONCERNED IN 

 MENTAL ACTION. 



I will now refer further to the results of anatomical 

 investigation. Near the surface of the grey matter in that 

 extensive layer above the planes in which the caudate 

 nerve-cells are situated, which is generally said to be com- 

 posed of delicate nerve-fibres and " granular matter," I have 

 succeeded in demonstrating multitudes of very small masses 

 of germinal matter lying amongst the finest branches of the 

 nerve fibres. In some places there are aggregations or col- 

 lections of these bodies, which are extremely delicate, and 

 become disintegrated very soon after death. Some sections 

 appear to consist almost entirely of these bodies, so great is 

 their number. They seem to be connected together by very 

 delicate processes of the same transparent material. Masses 

 of germinal matter thus situated are arranged very favour- 

 ably for influencing the fine nerve-fibres which ramify 

 amongst them. The slightest change in their form could 

 not fail to affect nerve currents traversing these fibres, and 

 as we are now well acquainted with the active movements 

 of germinal matter, it is impossible to help suggesting that 

 the movements occurring in these masses of germinal 

 matter produce a direct effect upon the adjacent fibres, 

 and that these vital movements or vibrations occurring 

 in matter of excessive tenuity constitute or are rather the 

 immediate consequences of mental vital action. The direc- 

 tions in which the living matter is made to move by the 

 conscious life-power which directs it, will determine the 



