The nervous system, anatomical and physiological : in which the functions of the various parts of the brain are for the first time assigned: and to which is prefixed some account of the author's earliest discoveries, of which the more recent doctrine of Bell, Magendi, etc. is shown to be one.

  • Walker, Alexander.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The nervous system, anatomical and physiological : in which the functions of the various parts of the brain are for the first time assigned: and to which is prefixed some account of the author's earliest discoveries, of which the more recent doctrine of Bell, Magendi, etc. is shown to be one. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

    53/726 (page 35)
    the posterior columns of the spinal marrow, exe- cute the purposes of volition. 'As we descend towards fishes, the cere- brum diminishes so much in size, that its total absence may be inferred in the lower classes. Observation confirms the supposition. It can scarcely be detected in the mollusca, and it is wanting in the annulosa. Now if these opinions with regard to the uses of the cerebrum and its different parts were correct, we ought to find in the animals which are destitute of the organ a total want of the functions which it is destined to perform ; for we can scarcely suppose, that any of the other organs of the body can supply its place. But still we find, among insects, for example, not merely sensation and volition, but instincts, propensities, and deliberation which, when they occur in the higher classes, are con- sidered worthy of having peculiar organs set apart for their production.' Now, here, Dr. Fleming has failed to ob- serve that, to animals wanting a cerebrum, I do not deny sensation, for that is the function of the organs of sense! and as to volition, they ought as- suredly to possess it, since they possess its organ, as in the next paragraph Dr. Fleming allows! c But the cerebellum,' says Dr. Fleming, 'still exists in these mollusca and annulosa; and may therefore, be considered as exercising the func- tions of sensation and volition. [It is not ne- d 2