NERVOUS SYSTEM. 17 



judgment, and physique, excels because he has the gift 

 of moving his muscles, in response to the stimulus received 

 by the nerves of his eyes, quicker, as well as in more 

 accurately regulated style, than ordinary men. This asser- 

 tion is in no way based on mere theory ; for we find that 

 among men whose duty it is to record (as in observatories) 

 the exact moment at which they see certain phenomena 

 occur, it is necessary, in order to avoid error, to allow for the 

 difference in time these men, respectively, take ; although it 

 may only be a fraction of a second. To do this, it is 

 requisite to obtain, for each man, his " personal equation," 

 as it is termed. We can, therefore, conclude that speed and 

 strength are as dependent on the nature and quality of the 

 nervous system as they are on conformation and muscular 

 development. It also goes without saying that a horse 

 may possess every physical excellence, and yet be worthless 

 on account of having a "soft heart," or bad temper. 



