330 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



tion. It is probable that reptiles have only a very slight 

 capacity for pain, and animals lower than fish none at all. 



When we see an animal shrink, struggle, or bite, when 

 we hear it cry or hiss, we naturally interpret these actions 

 as the expressions of pain, because pain calls forth similar 

 actions in us. But there is a fallacy in this interpretation. 

 The movements which in us accompany or succeed the pain 

 are not produced by the organs which feel the pain, even 

 when pain is actually present ; they are not produced by 

 pain, but incited by the stimulus pain gives to other organs. 

 Grief incites the lachrymal organs, but tears flow from vexa- 

 tion, from affliction, from physical pain, or from the effect 

 of an onion on the eyes. Pain incites the vocal organs to a 

 shriek ; but we hear persons, unhurt, shriek, when they see 

 others in danger. These illustrations suffice to make clear 

 the difference between movements which folloiu the sen- 

 sation of pain, and the movements which in themselves 

 indicate it ; and enable us to apply the Method of Exclusion, 

 and show that inasmuch as the very same movements are 

 produced by other stimuli besides pain, we are not entitled 

 to assume that these movements necessarily indicate pain 

 in all cases. And there is abundant evidence that even 

 human beings may exhibit all the phenomena of pain, when, 

 by their o\\ai confession, they feel none. I allude to those 

 numerous cases where paralysis of the nerves of sensation 

 is unaccompanied by paralysis of the nerve of motion. A 

 man in such a state will retract his leg if pricked, or have 

 his limbs throwni into convulsions such as would accompany 



