'"JoVrSwaV^^^^^^ Fungiform Faj^illm. 13 
but once overcome the physiological resistance, and the influence, 
no longer restrained, determines complicated changes, requiring a 
longer or shorter time to return to the original state, or else may- 
induce such molecular changes in its own condition as would result 
in pain, destruction, and death. 
Again, whether the original impulse or nerve-force is changed 
in its character at the centre or the peripheric plexuses must be un- 
certain, until we learn the exact nature of the excitation ; and until 
it is determined whether there be in the most delicate plexiform 
arrangements (Beale's fine plexus of pale-grey fibres), transpositions 
of impressions, or whether each fibre contain elements of each part of 
the circuit, preserving, though so closely contiguous, a distinct and 
definite channel of transmission, — we must be content with much 
that is conjecture. 
If with Bidder, Yolkmann, and others we assume the ganglionic 
system to be anatomically independent, we might regard the various 
associated ganglia and separate microscopic ganglia as so many aug- 
menting sources for strengthening weakened currents or impulses, 
in the same way as relay batteries assist the weakened current 
of an ordinary galvanic arrangement ; the impressions from which 
may be insufficient to give an intelligent signal at a very distant 
point, but sufficient to disturb such elements as shall give out their 
own dormant energy in the same direction as the original impulse ; 
or in another view they may be as centres of independent action 
capable, under stress of work, of adding largely to the original 
energy derived from the cerebro-spinal ganglionic aggregate. 
It may be asked. If all ganglion-cells be original sources of 
nervous energy, at what period of* their growth do they assume 
their office ; when are they said to be complete ; and what are the 
microscopic appearances by which these points can be determined ? 
Do circuits from other sources passing by or to them in their early 
stage, establish their course, or do they evolve it after a fixed manner ? 
If these questions arise in reference to the larger germinal ganglionic 
microscopic bodies, what of the smaller nuclear ones ? Are bipolar 
and multipolar processes or fibres from or to the little germinal 
nuclear body, sufficient to give it its physiological or functional 
value? Without allusion to the transmission of currents through 
caudate nerve-cells as centres of induced currents of distribution or 
of direction, as Dr. Beale suggests for their office, such questions, 
though difficult to satisfactorily answer, appear open for investigation. 
In the fine nucleated nerve-fibres, I consider with others 
many of the nuclear bodies as something more than mere centres of 
germinal matter for the growth of the fibre, especially in cases where 
two or more fibres can be traced at one end or both, and believe 
they are to these fibres centres of nerve-influence in the form of 
relays ; so that any impression of a delicate nature which? may pos- 
