Minute Structure of the Nervous System. 415 
unavoidable when the field of research in question consists of so much 
unbroken ground and such important problems are still not solved. It will all 
the same be necessary for me to limit my attention to a few of the most 
interesting chapters in this wonderful and fascinating department of 
biology. 
The scientific investigation of the histology and physiology of the central 
nervous system, above all of the brain, is surely one of the most difficult 
problems presented to human intelligence to solve. With good reason Emil 
Dubois Reymond’s famous ejaculation: “ignorabimus,” may be applicable 
here. 
“HH pur si muove.” How rapidly has our physiological knowledge of the: 
localisation of the motor and sensory centres in the brain—since Fritsch and: 
Hitzig first showed their existence by experimental proof—gone forwards: 
step by step, owing principally to the brilliant discoveries of the English 
investigators Sir Victor Horsley, Schafer, Beevor, Ferrier, Sherrington, and 
still others. 
It is indeed true that the proverb, “There is nothing quite new under the 
sun,” is not without an illustration here, too, for one cannot but be astounded 
to find that, as far back as the year 1744, the Swedish polyhistor and 
scientist, Emanuel Swedenborg, was able, in his famous work ‘ Gtconomia 
Regni Animalis,’ with his prophetic vision to set up as a goal for the scienee 
of physiology of the brain the following standard: “ Experientiz est et 
temporis, ut investigetur qui gyrus et qui serpens tumulus in cerebro hune 
aut illum musculum ut correspondentem suum in corpore respiciat,” and 
“Ergo inquirendum venit, qui tori corticei his aut illis musculis in corpore 
correspondent: quod fierl non potest nisl per experientiam in vivis. 
animalibus, per punctiones, sectiones et compressiones plurium, perque inde in 
corporis musculis redundantes effectus.” As we see, this is nothing short of 
a full programme in the experimental physiology of the brain which this. 
marvellous man here lays before us, and we are yet again amazed to read his. 
clearly worded statement, that the muscles of the lower extremities have their 
centre at the top of the cerebral cortex, the muscles of the abdomen and 
thorax in the central portions of the cerebrum, those of the head and face: 
at the bottom, “nam videntur ordine inverso sibi correspondere.” It has. 
been my purpose in quoting these theses of Swedenborg’s to point out that: 
grand scientific discoveries, of which our own age is rightly proud, may have 
been not only vaguely guessed at, but actually set forth in clear and definite 
terms by one or another brilliant enquirig mind of an earlier age. The 
theses cited are drawn up with such precision by Swedenborg that they 
cannot possibly be based on divination only, but must rest upon a real 
2s Ean 
