Mental Culture 107 



forces are gradually developed from below up- 

 ward. The upper brain comes gradually into 

 play as a result of stimuli and education, and 

 the functions of the mind begin to unfold. The 

 convoluted surface of the upper brain regulates 

 the functions of control and inhibition which are 

 the latest products of evolution. These later 

 functions are therefore more unstable than the 

 lower and more automatic reflexes, and constant 

 training and education are accordingly re- 

 quired. This higher brain machinery, with the 

 deep convolutions arranged in functional 

 groups, is what makes education produce results 

 and also opens up the widest possibilities. The 

 effective use of the brain calls for the best 

 training in order to reach the highest develop- 

 ment possible for each individual. 



The motor areas of the spinal cord are quite 

 highly developed at this time, but the sensory 

 portion is not functionally active. This ex- 

 plains many of the nervous phenomena of be- 

 ginning life. The higher cerebral centres exer- 

 cise a feeble inhibition over the lower and more 

 active motor centres of the spinal cord. Henice 



