TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION I. 549 



6. On Paramnesia. By Professor George J. Stokes, M.A. 



Having given an account of the phenomenon, drawn from personal experi- 

 ence, but agreeing with that given by Dr. Maudsley, the author discussed dif- 

 ferent theories which have been, or may be, put forward to explain it : (1) The 

 Inheritance theory; (2) the Double Brain theory; (3) the Inverted Hallucina- 

 tion theory. Criticism of these theories, Professor Baldwin's criticism of the 

 Double Brain theory. 



Suggested explanation : In accordance with the Neuron theory we may con- 

 ceive that intimations of a present phenomenon may reach the central conscious- 

 ness by more channels than one. Not exactly the whole phenomenon, but 

 aspects of it, may be conveyed by other and devious routes. It is as if some 

 news were being forwarded by the regular official channel ; meanwhile we get a 

 hint by private wire. Hence the prophetic certainty. These private intima- 

 tions do not come to us direct from the senses, but through neurons, with which 

 memories are usually correlated. Hence this illusion of memory. 



