DIFFERENCE IN THE ORGANS OF THE TWO LIVES. 



We have seen also how differently the two lives are 

 affected by habit. The very degree of perfection to 

 which the animal life attains, depends chiefly on educa- 

 tion ; the organic is but very little under its control. By 

 habit, we have seen that the motive powers are carried 

 to their highest degree of energy and developement. It 

 is the same too, with the sensations. By long continued 

 training, the senses arrive to a state of acuteness un- 

 known in the natural condition. The effect of sensa- 

 tion on the mind is also equally under the control of 

 habit, though in a different way. By long continued 

 repetition, the most vivid and poignant sensations, con- 

 stantly grow weaker in their impressions, till at last, they 

 are scarcely recognized by the mind. The most beau- 

 tiful scenes of nature or art, after a time, pall upon the 

 sight, and the most melodious sounds fall heavily on the 

 ear. From the same cause too, sensations which are at 

 first attended with pain or disgust, become in the end 

 delightful sources of enjoyment. 



Emily. But by no means can we habituate the blood 

 to move faster or slower through the vessels, or the res- 

 piratory organs to act quicker and more vigorously. 



Dr. B. In their origin also, the two lives differ. The 

 organic, we find in full play and perfection at the mo- 

 ment of birth. The animal, on the contrary, is at this 

 period, but imperfectly developed ; weak, feeble, indis- 

 tinct at first, time is required for its complete develope- 

 ment. 



Another striking difference between the two lives, is 

 not to be passed over it regards the form and position 

 of their organs. In the animal life, the organs are sym- 

 metrical ; and are either in pairs, each being perfectly 

 similar to the other, and placed on each side of the me- 

 dian line at equal distances from it, or single, placed di- 

 rectly over that line, and divided by it into two sym- 

 metrical halves. 



Emily. Let me interrupt you one moment to ask 

 what you mean by the median line ? 

 20* 



