324 The Mnemonic Phenomenon 



is not inconceivable." 238 It may be remarked here that 

 according to the hypothesis of mnemonic elements there 

 is room in each brain cell for a whole series of specific 

 deposits and not merely for one specific deposit. Indeed 

 we must suppose, as we have seen, that the germ sub- 

 stance contains a very great number of specific potential 

 or mnemonic elements, and we can also assume that the 

 same is true of the very complex mnemonic centers. 



Provisionally it can be affirmed that the close depend- 

 ence of memory upon the nutritive processes, 239 indicates 

 strongly that the preservation of memories is to be 

 ascribed to accumulations of substance. Further, as was 

 very well remarked by Hensen, the fact that many mem- 

 ories may remain entirely dormant throughout several 

 years, and then can come again with great distinctness 

 into consciousness, notwithstanding that all the parts of 

 the organism have been renewed several times in the 

 interval, 240 indicates, (if one recollects that assimilation 

 consists in the incessant reproduction of new masses, 

 always of identically the same substance), that in order 

 to preserve these memories it is sufficient if for one given 

 substance there be substituted another identical one. 



If it appears thus to be shown by facts, that the 

 preservation of memories is due to accumulation and 

 conservation of substance, a whole series of other facts 

 seems to demonstrate that the reawakening of these 

 memories consists in the restitution of the same currents 

 as had formerly constituted the actual sensation or 

 impression. 



238 Ribot : Ibid. P. 17. 

 239 Ribot: Ibid. P. 155163. 



240 Hensen: liber das Gedachtnis. Kiel, Universitats-Buchhand- 

 lung, 1877. P. 13. 



