36 PHYSICAL EXPRESSION. 



all the expressions, or efferent functions, coming 

 from it. 



Reflex action is a mode of expression of com- 

 mon occurrence in man and animals; this will 

 be more particularly dwelt upon as a mode of 

 expression in the next chapter. Drawing a hand 

 away from a hot cup is a reflex action; but the 

 movement is a mode of expression, such movement 

 being usually considered expressive of pain. For 

 the occurrence of a reflex action a certain nerve- 

 motor apparatus is necessary. The simplest appa- 

 ratus for this purpose consists of (a) sensory surface ; 

 (b) afferent nerve-fibres ; (c) nerve-cell or centre ; 

 (d) efferent or motor nerve-fibres ; (e) muscle. Now, 

 this apparatus for a reflex action may exist at birth, 

 as with the apparatus for sucking; or it may be 

 acquired, as the reflex movement of the face giving 

 expression of pleasure at the sight of a fine work 

 of art, such reflex, not existing at birth, is said to 

 be acquired. We may, then, have expression by 

 reflex action congenital, or acquired. It seems also 

 probable that reflex actions form an important and 

 very large share of the phenomena grouped as the 

 function "mentation," or the faculty of the brain 

 which produces mind. 



Reflected action is a mode of expression in living 

 and non-living beings. The term " reflected action " 

 signifies a purely passive condition of the subject, 

 all action being on the part of some force afferent 

 to the subject. The expression of a statue is purely 

 passive the marble does nothing itself; the rays of 

 light falling upon it are in part reflected, enabling 



