201 FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



purpose of propagation, are much less applied to occupations, which call forth 

 their motor faculties. 



278. The Author is far from denying in toto that any peculiar connection 

 exists between the Cerebellum and the Genital system ; but if the evidence at 

 present adduced, in support of the Phrenological position, be held sufficient 

 to establish it, in defiance of so many opposing considerations, we must bid 

 adieu to all safe reasoning in Physiology. The weight of testimony appears 

 to him to be quite decided, in regard to the connection of the Cerebellum with 

 the regulation of the motor function. How far this invalidates the moderate 

 phrenological view, which does not regard the function of the Cerebullum 

 as exclusively devoted to the sexual instinct, is a question well deserving of 

 attention. There is nothing opposed to such an idea, in the results of the 

 experiments already adverted to ( 268) ; since there is no evidence that sex- 

 ual instinct remained after the removal of the Cerebellum ; but, on the other 

 hand, there is no proof that it was destroyed. A circumstance which has been 

 several times mentioned to him, that great application to gymnastic exercises 

 diminishes, for a time, the sexual vigour, and even totally suspends desire, 

 seems worthy of consideration in reference to such a view. If the Cerebel- 

 lum be really connected with both kinds of functions, it does not seem unrea- 

 sonable that the excessive employment of it upon one should diminish its 

 energy in regard to the other. Further, it would seem by no means impro- 

 bable that the Lobes are specially connected with the regulation and co-ordi- 

 nation of movements ; whilst the Vermiform processes, which are very large 

 in many animals in which the former scarcely present themselves, are the 

 parts connected with the sexual function. As an additional argument in 

 favour of the former part of this view, it may be stated, that in Man the lobes 

 bear a larger proportion to the Vermiform processes than in any other animal ; 

 and that they undergo their most rapid development during the first few years 

 of life, when a large number of complex voluntary movements are being 

 learned by experience, and are being associated by means of the muscular 

 sensations accompanying them ; whilst in those animals which have, imme- 

 diately after birth, the power of regulating their voluntary movements for 

 definite objects, with the greatest precision, the Cerebellum is more fully 

 developed at the time of birth. In both instances it is well formed and in 

 active operation (so far as can be judged of by the amount of circulation 

 through it), long before the s&xual instinct manifests itself in any perceptible 

 degree. 



XX. Functions of the Cerebrum. 



279. In regard to certain general positions, there is little difference of opin- 

 ion amongst Physiologists upon this much-controverted subject; and it will 

 be desirable to inquire what may be considered as firmly established before we 

 proceed with details of a more questionable nature. We shall, as before, apply 

 to Comparative Anatomy, to Experiment and to Pathology, for our chief data. 

 Any genera] inferences, founded only upon observation of the phenomena 

 presented by Man, must be looked upon with suspicion ; since every advance 

 in Comparative Physiology leads us to perceive how close is the functional 

 relation between organs that are really of analogous nature in different classes 

 of animals; and how necessary, therefore^ it is to examine ai^f contrast all the 

 facts which we can attain in regard to them, in order to impart to our conclu- 

 sions the utmost validity of which they are capable. Our first general propo- 

 sition is, that the Cerebrum is the sole instrument of Intelligence; by which 

 term is implied the Voluntary adaptation of means to ends, in a manner imply- 

 ing a perception of the nature of both. The actions performed by the lower 



