Psycho-mnemonic Phenomena 323 
repeated a great number of times and it is in just this 
that the mnemonic phenomenon consists. 
One could evidently say the same thing of the optic 
phenomenon, that is to say, of any series of colors or 
specific luminous vibrations which succeed one another 
in space or time. 
Ribot has rightly said that “There is not one memory, 
but memories; that there is not one seat of memory, 
but particular seats for each particular memory.” 236 
And, according to our theory, each mnemonic element 
would just constitute a particular seat for each elementary 
sensation or each particular specific impression. 
In this sense also, that is to say on the condition 
that the expression “nervous elements” be not disjoined 
from the conception of elementary specific accumulators 
or mnemonic elements, we can accept the idea of memory 
which this investigator (Ribot) has put forward: “If 
we attempt,” writes he, “to conceive a good memory and 
to express this in physiological terms, we must figure 
to ourselves a great number of nervous elements, each 
modified in a particular manner, each taking part in one 
combination and probably capable of entering into sev- 
eral. Memory has then static and dynamic bases. Its 
strength is in relation to their number and stability.” 2°? 
“Tt has been asked,” continues Ribot, “if each nerve 
cell can preserve several different modifications or if 
once modified it is forever polarized. The number of 
cerebral cells being about 600,000,000 according to the 
calculations of Meynert (and Sir Lionel Beale gives a 
much higher figure) the hypothesis of a single impression 
286Ribot: Les maladies de la mémoire. P. 11. 
287Ribot: Ibid. P. 32. 
