g6 Animal Morphology. 



have ramifying through it such a progressive increase of 

 ganglia, and nerves distributed from them ? 



In a system, as the human body, we have thorough domestic 

 economy throughout to wit, where old tissues are re-used, 

 as in the lymphatic system, as well as in the biliary and 

 pancreatic ; yet, in relation to electricity, what provision has 

 Nature employed to turn an active agent into genuine 

 utility, such as free electricity, since for waste exuded 

 material a lymphatic system is in full operation, and is of 

 the greatest service ? But what is done to get rid of super- 

 fluous electricity set free by chemical action ? 



The answer is that a system is at hand and in constant 

 operation for this very thing namely, the ganglionic 

 system ; and its function is to collect electricity, and at its 

 ganglia to transmit it, after modifying or changing its course, 

 so as to direct every slight change in degree, intensity, or 

 condition of electricity, into its right and suitable channel 

 from ganglia to ganglia, until it has met with its final 

 distribution at the ramifying ganglia of the heart, and also 

 the minute muscles placed round the termination of small 

 arteries. 



But from all we know, mechanical pressure is always 

 sufficient to excite muscular contraction in organic muscular 

 fibre, but two other agents also greatly influence it. 



ist : Electricity intensifies muscular irritability, and so 

 greatly aids regularity and quickness of action. 



2nd : Temperature greatly aids it ; when above a given 

 point the action of the heart is increased, and below a 

 given point it is greatly depressed. 



The two great points of distribution, then, appear to be 

 the heart and the muscles surrounding arterial capillaries, 

 and, being under the guidance of one system, they will 

 always act in sympathy with each other, and in health in 

 harmony with each other. 



