2 



more philosophical caution in forming con- 

 clusions ; yet his notions of life were those 

 which common sense dictates, and which 

 were also entertained by the most intellec- 

 tual characters in remote ages : this I have 

 already endeavoured to show in lectures 

 addressed to the members of the college. 



Convinced of the truth and importance 

 of Mr. Hunter's opinions relative to the 

 Nature of Life, I am now desirous of en- 

 quiring, how any portion of physiological 

 knowledge obtained since his time may 

 have affected his sentiments in general, and 

 particularly with respect to the functions 

 of the most important organ in the animal 

 economy of the human race. That the 

 brain of man, and of animals similarly 

 constituted, is a great emporium of nervous 

 energy, that it sympathises with every 

 part of the body, and bestows or excites 

 animation and energy throughout the 



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