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

212 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.the substance of the muscle to be moved bythem, and the nerve fibre is subdivided anddistributed, so as to bring the several partsof the muscle under control. These fibresare so laid and connected, that a whole setof muscles can be moved simultaneously, beingmade to work in perfect harmony.The vital activity of this whole arrangementof nerve fibres, including sensory and motorin one system, depends upon living connectionof all with the great nerve centre in the brain,where the nerve energy is provided whichkeeps all in functional activity. Only, thereis this striking difference with the two sets offibres, that in the case of the sensory nervethe pulsation of energy is upwards to thebrain, in the case of the motor nerve it isdownwards towards the muscle. There is noscientific explanation yet reached of this contrastof molecular action. But by means ofit the one order of nerves plays the part ofa vehicle of in~pression providing for knowledgeof what is without, the other order fulfilsthe part of an instrument for moving themuscular system which is part of the organismitself.These two orders are not, however, to be