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Mr. Bell on the 
science, in as much as things are obvious to the eyes. In the 
animal body the parts present distinct textures, and are laid 
in a natural and perfect order ; it is necessary only to trace 
the tubes, or to observe the symmetrical order of the nervous 
cords, in order to discover their respective uses : the motions, 
whether of the solid or fluid parts, are so regular and uniform, 
that the whole offers a subject for observation and induction. 
Anatomy is already looked upon with prejudice by the 
thoughtless and ignorant : let not its professors unnecessarily 
incur the censures of the humane. Experiments have never 
been the means of discovery ; and a survey of what has been 
attempted of late years in physiology, will prove that the 
opening of living animals has done more to perpetuate error, 
than to confirm the just views taken from the study of ana- 
tomy and natural motions. 
In a foreign review of my former papers, the results have 
been considered as a farther proof in favour of experiments. 
They are, on the contrary, deductions from anatomy ; and I 
have had recourse to experiments, not to form my own 
opinions, but to impress them upon others. It must be my 
apology, that my utmost efforts of persuasion were lost, 
while I urged my statement on the grounds of anatomy. I 
have made few experiments ; they have been simple, and 
easily performed ; and I hope are decisive. 
If we turn to the opinions which have been entertained on 
the subject of the brain and nerves, we find one theory to 
have prevailed from the Greek authors to the time of Willis, 
and to have descended from him with little alteration, to 
modern writers. The brain has been supposed to secrete 
and supply a nervous fluid, and the nerves to be the conduit 
