114 ANIMAL-SENTIENT FORCES. [i. 



water, — a sentient action of the desire (of the instinct) inci- 

 dentally produced by the external sensation (97, 103). 



222. The strongest sensational conceptions and desires most 

 readily excite imperfect external sensations (148). Now since 

 true external sensations excite all conceptions, and consequently 

 the strongest conceptions and desires (219-221), they can inci- 

 dentally give rise to the sentient actions of phantoms, visions, 

 ghosts, and illusions (148). We seek with the greatest anxiety 

 to lay hold of the object which threatens us with imminent 

 danger, and this vivid conception works so intensely, and as an 

 aversion so contra-naturally (195), in our muscles, that the 

 arm remains stiff, swells, and inflames. This is not an unusual 

 circumstance where real objects are concerned. When we see 

 a form in the dark, which we take for a ghost, and the im- 

 perfect external sensation excites the instinct of terror, and we 

 reach towards it, the above-mentioned condition may occur to 

 the arm, not directly through the real external sensation, as, 

 for example, the sight of a shadow, but incidentally, inasmuch 

 as the latter excited the imperfect external sensation which 

 produced the phenomenon of the ghost. 



223. We often connect thoughts of the understanding with our 

 external sensations, when we reflect upon objects that appear to 

 the senses, and thus a reflection {^"7^ accompanies our external 

 sensation, which combines the action it probably may develope 

 in the mechanical machines (330) with those resulting directly 

 from external sensations (100). Thus a glance may quickly 

 cause deep thoughts in us, together with vertigo, the vertigo 

 being the sentient action of deep thought, and only incidentally 

 that of the external sensation (97, 100; see also 331). 



224. We connect desires and aversions of the will with oui' 

 external sensations, and so the actions of the latter accompany 

 those of the former (96). Thus, at the sight of a ravening 

 beast, we exert our muscles, and flee. This flight is the sentient 

 action of the conclusion of our will, and only incidentally that 

 of the external sensation (97, 104). 



225. All sentient actions of external sensations consist of 

 movements, in which all those structures must take part that 

 are incorporated with the substance of the organ of movement, 

 and, consequently, the nerves (160). When these nerves receive 

 an external impression through their ultimate ramifications in 



