112 CONSCIOUSNESS AND SENSATION. 



3. By the impressed condition continued from 

 the brain to the distribution of a motor nerve not 

 only is a stimulus communicated to the muscles 

 and applied by the nerve, but muscular sense is 

 given ; and the consciousness being brought into 

 direct communication with the part by establish- 

 ment of continuity of the impressed condition, the 

 will is enabled to regulate the position of the part 

 and the degree of muscular energy with which it is 

 maintained. But a motor nerve differs from sen- 

 sory nerves of all sorts in the fact that irritation 

 of it does not produce any sensation either of the 

 character of common sensation or special sense; 

 and in this respect it is probably like the proper 

 fibres of the spinal cord and brain. 



It may be allowable to say in conclusion that in 

 publishing these views I put most importance on 

 the objections which I have urged against the 

 received doctrine of sensation ; and in venturing to 

 suggest another in its place I am perfectly aware 

 that there is much which is imperfect in the hypo- 

 thesis which I have put forward, and I can only 

 hope that it may prove of some use in building up 

 a more perfect view. 



