THE MECHANISTIC CONCEPTION 33 



tenor of this nervous control, which is rarely exerted 

 in the interest of the organism as a whole. There 

 is here an automatic consistency of action, usually 

 without discernible favoritism or neglect toward 

 any part, a consistency which might well be 

 taken as a standard for emulation in the govern- 

 ment of a state. 



Although the nerve cells and their prolongations 

 quite obviously constitute a numerous ruling caste, 

 the functions of the other cells are so apportioned as 

 nowhere to reveal any dependence that can be con- 

 strued by the human mind as a sign of specific 

 inferiority. In other words, all types of cells are 

 so essential to the prolonged welfare of the entire 

 organism that none suffer in dignity through any 

 comparison. Yet it is undeniable that the nerve 

 cell, so labile and varied in its actions, so shrouded 

 in the mysteries belonging to the transcendent func- 

 tion of consciousness, so inapproachable in its 

 chemical dynamics, excites a livelier interest than 

 a bone cell, or even a kidney cell. On the other 

 hand, a careful consideration of the nature of these 

 different sorts of cells shows that each type has its 

 compensating features. The very reactivity of the 

 nerve cell exposes it to injury. When once a deep- 

 seated injury has been inflicted on it, the nerve cell 

 recovers but imperfectly, for its powers of regenera- 

 tion are slight. This limited power of regeneration 

 is connected with the extremely elaborate differen- 

 tiation of organization in the nerve cell. For the 



