128 THE SPINAL CORD AND CEREBELLUM 



to say, the ordinary sensory cells — there are, probably, 

 none specifically representing desire or volition. 



' But,' someone will perhaps remark, ' I may have 

 the idea of an act without executing it, or I may 

 hesitate before performing it ; yet when I do accom- 

 plish it some new factor comes into play, and that 

 factor is ' will.' In psychological phraseology such a 

 statement may be correct. Let us examine it physio- 

 logically. If the sensory cells of the cerebral cortex 

 alone are stimulated either feebly or violently, we 

 have the idea or the sensation only ; but if, on the 

 other hand, a connection is established with the 

 ' increase of impulse ' cells and with the motor cells 

 of the cerebral cortex, then, in addition, we have 

 action. Hesitation is due to the stimulation of the 

 ' increase of impulse ' cells by two groups of sensory 

 cells, representing two distinct ideas. The factor on 

 which the existence of a connection between the 

 sensory and ' increase of impulse ' elements depends 

 is association or habit. In some, however, the readi- 

 ness with which the ' increase of impulse ' cells 

 respond to stimulation is far greater than in others, 

 and such persons are inclined to be wilful and to 

 have exaggerated views and feelings and reactions. 

 But any philosophy which is based on the supposi- 

 tion that, in addition to the ' increase of impulse ' 

 cells, there are other ' will ' cells, or that we have 

 any means of acting in opposition to the strongest 

 stimulus, is mere fancy. It lies with us, therefore, 

 to so order our lives and to so excite our nerve- cells 



