f 215 ] 
There is a phyfical caufe which determines 
all thefe different movements, by ailing 
upon the fprings, which are already pre¬ 
pared for this purpofe. The mind has not 
any concern with it; on the contrary, in 
general every thing is performed without 
its being confcious of it. 
Cataleptics and Somnanbulifts were very 
common during the reign of Mefmer. 
This celebrated impoftor took advantage 
of the credulity of mankind, and made a 
moft ihameful and infamous abufe of it. 
Of Spontaneous Motion. 
There are organs in the animal machine, 
the operations and movements of which 
are executed without the concurrence of 
the will, and on that account are called 
fpontaneous. 
Different ftimuli determine the action 
of thefe different organs. When I fpeak 
of ftimulus, I underftand an impreffion 
P . 4 made 
