324 The Mnemonic Phenomenon 
is not inconceivable.” 78 It may be remarked here that 
according to the hypothesis of mnenionic elements there 
is room in each brain cell for a whole series of specific 
deposits and not merely for one specific deposit. Indeed 
we must suppose, as we have seen, that the germ sub- 
stance contains a very great number of specific potential 
or mnemonic elements, and we can also assume that the 
same is true of the very complex mnemonic centers. 
Provisionally it can be affirmed that the close depend- 
ence of memory upon the nutritive processes,?*® indicates 
strongly that the preservation of memories is to be 
ascribed to accumulations of substance. Further, as was 
very well remarked by Hensen, the fact that many mem- 
ories may remain entirely dormant throughout several 
years, and then can come again with great distinctness 
into consciousness, notwithstanding that all the parts of 
the organism have been renewed several times in the 
interval,?*° indicates, (if one recollects that assimilation 
consists in the incessant reproduction of new masses, 
always of identically the same substance), that in order 
to preserve these memories it is sufficient if for one given 
substance there be substituted another identical one. 
If it appears thus to be shown by facts, that the 
preservation of memories is due to accumulation and 
conservation of substance, a whole series of other facts 
seems to demonstrate that the reawakening of these 
memories consists in the restitution of the same currents 
as had formerly constituted the actual sensation or 
impression, 
**8Ribot: Ibid. P. 17. 
*°Ribot: Ibid. P. 155—163. 
24°Hensen: Uber das Gedachtnis. Kiel, Universitats-Buchhand- 
tung, 1877. P. 13. 
