The Dawn of Reason | Page 3

change of opinion in these matters.[2]
[2] Ibid., p. 21 et seq.
Morphology and physiology are interdependent, correlated, and
connected one with the other; and, as I will endeavor to point out as my
argument develops itself, psychology is, likewise, intimately associated
with these two manifestations of life.
It will be noticed that as forms take on more complexity, and as organs
develop new and more complex functions, psychos becomes less
simple in its manifestations, and more complex in its relations to the
internal and external operations of life.
Keeping in view the definition of mind as advanced in the opening
paragraph of this chapter, it at once becomes evident that even the very
lowest forms of life possess mind in some degree. It is true that in the
monera, or one-celled organisms, the nerve-cell is not differentiated;
consequently, if I were to be held to a close and strict accountability,
my definition of mind would not embrace these organisms. Yet, some
small latitude must be allowed in all definitions of psychological
phenomena, especially in those phenomena occurring in organisms
which typify the very beginnings of life.

I am confident that, notwithstanding the fact that the nerve-cell is not
differentiated in these primal forms, nerve-elements are, nevertheless,
present in them, and serve to direct and control life.
Mind makes itself evident in two ways--consciously and unconsciously.
The conscious manifestations of mind are volitional, while the
unconscious, "vegetative," reflex operations of mind are wholly
involuntary.
Although the unconscious mind plays fully as prominent a rôle in the
economy of life as does the conscious mind, this treatise will not
discuss the former, except indirectly. Yet, an outline sketch as to what
is meant by the unconscious mind will be necessary, in order that the
reader may more fully comprehend my meaning when discussing
conscious mind.
A brief investigation of the anatomy, physiology, and psychology of
the medusa, or jelly-fish, will serve to illustrate the operations of the
unconscious mind as it is to be noticed in its reflex and "vegetative"
phases. The higher and more evolved phases of the unconscious mind
will not be discussed in this work, except incidentally, perhaps, as they
may appear, from time to time, as my propositions are advanced, and
the scheme of mental development is elaborated.
The medusa (the specimen that I take for study is a very common
fresh-water individual) has a well-developed nervous system. Its
transparent, translucent nectocalyx, or swimming-bell, has a central
nervous system which is localized on the margin of the bell, and which
forms the so-called "nerve-ring" of Romanes.[3] This nerve-ring is
separated into an upper and lower nerve-ring by the "veil," an annular
sheet of tissue which forms the floor of the swimming-bell, or
"umbrella," and through a central opening in which the manubrium, or
"handle," of the umbrella passes down and hangs below the margin of
the bell.
[3] Romanes, Jelly-Fish, Star-Fish, and Sea-Urchins, p. 16.
The nerve-ring is well supplied with epithelial and ganglionic

nerve-cells; their function is wholly reflex and involuntary; they
preside over the pulsing or swimming movements of the nectocalyx.
This pulsing is excited by stimulation, and is analogous, so far as
movement is concerned, to the peristaltic action of the intestines.
Situated on the margin of the bell are a number of very minute, round
bodies, the so-called "eyes." These eyes are supplied with nerves, one
of whose functions is volitional, as I will endeavor to show in my
chapter on Conscious Determination.
The manubrium, or handle, is also the centre of a nerve-system. Nerves
proceed from it and are spread out on the inner surface of the bell.
These nerves preside over digestion, and are involuntary. Certain
ganglia in the manubrium appear to preside over volitional effort. I
have never been able, however, to locate their exact position, nor to
determine their precise action. They will be discussed more fully in the
next chapter.
The nervous system of the nectocalyx is exceedingly sensitive,
responding with remarkable quickness to stimulation. When two or
three minims of alcohol are dropped into a pint of water in which one
of these creatures is swimming, the pulsing of the nectocalyx is notably
increased in frequency and volume.
Romanes determined that the centres governing pulsation were located
in the nerve-ring of the swimming-bell, and that each section of the
nectocalyx had its individual nerve-centre.[4]
[4] Jelly-Fish, Star-Fish, and Sea-Urchins, p. 65 et seq.
The pulsing of the nectocalyx occasions a flow of water into and out of
the bell. This current brings both food and air (oxygen) to the animal,
which is enabled to take these necessary life-sustainers into its system
through the agency of vegetative nerve-action, a phase of the
unconscious mind.
The unconscious mind made its appearance in animal life many
thousands of years before the conscious