74 Scientific Intelligence. 



tion connects with the "final common path" to induce its char- 

 acteristic reaction all antagonistic afferent arcs are thereby 

 simultaneously excluded. This is the basis of all coordination 

 of reactions and also of the great psychical process of " attention." 

 From it result the singleness of action every instant and the pre- 

 vention of confusion which are the keystones of the unity of the 

 individual. 



The term " proprio-ceptors " is applied to those afferent end- 

 organs which lying beneath the animal's surface are influenced 

 only by interior conditions. Their important shares in coordina- 

 tion are discussed, and the conclusion reached that '' cerebellum is 

 the head ganglion of the proprio-ceptive system." 



The " distance-receptors " for sight, hearing, and smell initiate 

 and guide long series of reactions of the animal as a whole. 

 Their influences are dominant, for through long chains of reactions 

 conductive to a final reaction relatively remote they direct the 

 animal to obtain its food, and escape its enemies. The conscious 

 concomitants of these processes constitutes mentality. " The 

 cerebrum is the ganglion of the distance-receptors." 



Space forbids a further discussion of these intensely interesting 

 lectures. The striking individuality of treatment involving the 

 development of a terminology in great part new, the importance 

 of the experimental data afforded by Professor Sherrington's 

 researches in the difficult field between the physiologic and the 

 psychic realms, the breadth of grasp and depth of insight in the 

 treatment of the subject matter, are such as cannot fail to influ- 

 ence profoundly the attitude toward the problems of the nerv- 

 ous system of every physiologist who carefully reads this 

 book. For the psychologist it possesses an even greater interest, 

 for it represents a long step forward toward the comprehension 

 of the physiologic basis of psychic phenomena. y. h. 



2. Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithso- 

 nian Institute. Report of the IT. S. National Museum for the 

 year ending June SO, 1905. Pp. 131. Report of the IT. S. JYa- 

 tional Museum for the year ending June 30, 1906 / by Richard 

 Rathbun. Pp. 120. Washington, 1906. — These reports pre- 

 pared by Dr. Rathbun give a very interesting account of the 

 growth of the National Museum down to the middle of 1906. 

 The construction of the new building, commenced in 1904, 

 although carried forward less rapidly than was expected, is now 

 well under way and the completion is anticipated in two j^ears 

 more. The facilities which this building will provide are 

 urgently needed, since the collections are increasing at a very 

 rapid rate, during the last year, for example, to the extent of 

 upwards of 250,000 specimens. These additions cover all the 

 different departments of science, from geology and natural 

 history to ethnolog3 T , archeology and technology. 



3. Report of the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey, showing the Progress of the Work from July 1, 1905, to 

 June 30, 1906. Pp. 230, with 9 pocket maps. Washington, 

 1906. — This annual report of Dr. O. H. Tittmakn gives a sum- 



