The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

HIGHER ORGANISMS. 20'7progress, or causing movement i11 an oppositedirection. Now these two characteristics-sensibilityto impression from without,and moveinent caused by an exercise of energyfrom within the organisill itself-are bothprovided for by means of the nerve systembelonging to the animal. This nerve systemvaries in the number and coinplexity of itsarrangements, according. to the compleaxityof the organism with which it is associated.As, therefore, we rise in the scale, passingfrom the soft pulpy form of the lowest orders,to those formed in segments or rings, nextto those with distinct portions of organismfulfilling separate functions, as in insect life,wit11 head, body, and legs; and next pass upto the vertebrates, with back-bone and skeleton,on which is built up a more or less complicatedmuscular system, we find a nervesystem, growing in complexity along with theappearance of different orgalls of the body.And in all cases, this system fulfils these twofunctions-sensibility to touch, and movementof the body. These two are providedfor by distinct lines or nerve fibres; and inall cases, these two sets are conibined in acentre, thereby securing that the two sets