326 



LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 



all living beings and not even to all animals, is a very- 

 obscure feeling, with which are endowed those ani- 

 mals provided with a nervous systeih sufficiently de- 

 veloped to give them the faculty of feeling. 



" This sentiment, very obscure as it is, is neverthe- 

 less very powerful, for it is the source of inner emo- 

 tions which test {eprouvent) the individuals possessing 

 it, and, as the result, this singular force urges 

 these individuals to themselves produce the move- 

 ments and the actions which their wants require. 

 Moreover this feeling, considered as a very active 

 motor, only acts thus by sending to the muscles 

 which necessarily cause these movements and actions 

 the nervous fluid which excites them. . . . 



" Indeed, as the result of organic or vital move- 

 ments which are produced in every animal, that 

 which possesses a nervous system sufficiently de- 

 veloped has physical sensibility and continually 

 receives in every inner and sensitive part impressions 

 which continually affect it, and which it feels in 

 general without being able to distinguish any single 

 one. 



" The sentiment of existence [consciousness] is 

 general, since almost every sensitive part of the body 

 shares in it. ' It constitutes this me (mot) with which 

 all animals, which are only sensitive, are penetrated, 

 without perceiving it, but which those possessing a 

 brain are able to notice, having the power of thought 

 and of giving attention to it. Finally, it is in all the 

 source of a power which is aroused by wants, which 

 acts effectively only by emotion, and through which 

 the movements and actions derive the force which 

 produces them.' . . 



" Finally, the inner feeling only manifests its 

 power, and causes movements, when there exists a 

 system for muscular movement, which is always de- 

 pendent on the nervous system, and cannot take 

 place without it." 



