36 



pede, and upward tliroiigli the nervous systems of 

 wasps, bees, fishes, reptiles, birds and quadrupeds to 

 man. The simple ganglion in its ui)ward growth be- 

 comes comjdicated by divisions into segments, convolu- 

 tions and lobes. The more intricate in structure, and 

 massive in substance the brain becomes, the higher are 

 the psychical powers. It is stated that the relation is as 

 marked as is the size of any other organ and its secre- 

 tions, hence by parallel reasoning mental phenomena 

 depend in force and com])licity on the size of t? ' organ, 

 and must be necessarily the result of molecular action 

 in the one case as in the other. 



This assertion of an exact pro])ortion existing be- 

 tv^^een the size of the brain and mental power is as a 

 rule; far from correct. A man with a large brain often 

 shows less mental activity and power than a man with 

 a mucli smaller brain. The tone of nerve fibre, the 

 temperament, and the general recuperative forces have 

 much to do with the condition of mental action. The 

 temper of the medium has a great deal vo do with the 

 fluid which permeates and occupies it. The power of 

 transmission, conduction and insulation of thought in 

 brain matter depend on this as much as does the lowest 

 form of electricity on the condition and size of the 

 magnet. There are large animals such as the ele- 

 phant and whale whose size of brain — if measured 

 by cubic inches — should make them great philoso- 

 phers, if well educated. This opinion is guarded, and 

 this dilenuua avoided by asserting that in some way we 

 must take into consideration the relative size of the 

 body to the brain. I have never been able to compre- 

 hend a rational reason for this explanation. Lubbock 

 and Darwin being neighbors, watclied together the 

 habits of twenty kinds of ants, and they assert that 

 for intelligence they n nk next to man. Their wisdom, 



