Every motion of the limbs being effected by pressure, to promote the
local change minus-pressure matter has to be displaced. That the assent
of will is indispensable is evident, inasmuch as there is no _ordinary_
limb motion, if not previously assented to by the will. Yet will is no
mechanical power, nor anything having a distinct existence. Will seems
to be, the mutual accordance of the cerebral organs to act together
so as to effect, or rather assist, the accomplishing of a present
intention. The act may be likened to that of suction, voluntarily
performed by the brain to de-electrise itself, in order to make room
for and receive that which lies in the way of the desired object being
effected. The voluntary act by the brain cannot be on anything far
away, or not in contact with the brain, and that which is acted on
must be continuous to the place of the removable impediment. If, then,
the brain does de-electrise itself, and that by so doing it receives
electric matter from the nerves which are continuous from the limb
to the brain, such removal of electric matter is effected within the
nerves of the limb, as makes space for medium of space to enter in the
requisite quantity to move the limb according to the required velocity.
It is not to be overlooked, that, previous to the self de-electrisation
of the brain, thought may be concerned in promoting the cerebral
de-electrising act. So far as the foregoing may be true, the like
circumstances take place when the mesmeriser wills into report with
himself the far-off patient, the electric matter in the space between
being affected with as much facility, as the transfer of similar matter
from the trough to the utmost extent of the galvanic wire, which may be
considered instantaneous, considering the hundreds of miles distance
between.
_The Nature and Power of Will._--The power of effecting, voluntarily,
the transfer of electric matter from one part of the interior of the
body to a different, seems to belong, in some necessary degree, to
all bodies possessed of life. The object is to make space for medium
of space to enter, and by its pressure to put the animal in a state
of locomotion. The snake, worm, and snail do so to be pressed onward
along the ground; the oyster, to have the shells firmly collapsed; the
limpit, to be pressed against the rock; and each, cerebrally wills
the replacement of electric matter to displace the cause of pressure,
medium of space, for the grovelling reptile to be at rest--the oyster,
that the shells may be opened; the limpit, when willing to fall into
the water. The fly, lizard, and walrus, so de-electrise the body, as to
reverse the direction of what is supposed to be their natural weight,
by which means each becomes pressed upwards, and walks with the back
downwards--which, to be consistent with the established philosophy,
should be considered _repellent gravitation_. The goat voluntarily
de-electrises his body to have it pressed with double force against
the slippery rock; the lynx, to have mesmeric long vision; the cat, to
have opaque vision, or "see through the dark;" the fire-fly, to effect
reduction of the optic pressure productive of sensations of colour. The
carrier-pigeon effects self de-electrisation to the clairvoyant degree,
by which the external object, the turret at Constantinople, promotes
the sensation which indicates at once the shortest direction of flight
from London to the birth-place of the bird. The eagle de-electrises
itself inwardly, the same as if by the mesmeric passes, to promote
olfactory lucidity, by which to ascertain the presence of carrion on
the ground. Fishes effect internal de-electrisation, somehow by means
of the contents of the swim, for influent medium of space to propel
the body with a velocity superior to the power of the short, flexible
fins. The flight of birds is not effected by wing motion, or wing
powers. The crow, eagle, and kite sail in all directions on extended
motionless wing, and the odd wing-flap now and then given, is only
to assist in keeping the body in the necessary electric condition.
The swallow is darted most rapidly through the air with closed
wing, and changes acutely, without way, the direction of flight, by
changing instantaneously the direction of impulse. With the greatest
wing-agitation the hawk remains at times stationary in the air. The
fish, bird, and bullet are impelled by the same cause, pressure, by the
medium of space on the de-electrised rear.
The cow and goat voluntarily de-electrise the cud, for medium of space
to enter and press it upwards through the food-passage which the cud
presses against, instead of being raised by nerves or muscles of the
esophagus. In parturition also, and the discharge of the feces, the
same principles are maintained. The "throes of Nature" are consequent
on the natural pressure being made intermitting, by electric matter
returning to and escaping from the birth at intervals. The physiologist
may refer to muscular action; but where are the delivery muscles? The
stage-dancer makes de-electrising efforts to receive medium of space,
by which to be lifted above the boards and supported a few seconds
in the air. Muscles at full stretch in opposite directions, and the
fulcrum, if any, being carried by them, is out of all dynamic rule. All
persons make a de-electrising effort previous to the leap-spring, and
while continuing to stand or run and tiptoe, without being aware of
the reason; and the fatigue is not muscular, but in keeping the body
fittingly de-electrised.
The _gymnotus electricus_ kills the distant prey instantaneously, which
receives nothing whatever of missile from the enemy; nor could the
latter be accessary to the death-stroke, were there nothing between to
connect one with the other: nothing passing and no connecting means,
no outstretched arm or instrument touching that which is to be acted
on, is a mechanical absurdity, and is attributing an effect to that
which, it may be said, is an absent cause. The eel voluntarily performs
the cerebral operation on the electric matter which is continuous from
itself through the air to the marked prey, which effects instantaneous
removal of the same matter from the prey; which permits medium of space
at the same instant to give the de-electrised part the death-blow.